Chapter category: Immunology
Antibody Responses to Polysaccharides
Immunobiology of Carbohydrates
Edited by: Simon Y.C. Wong and Gemma ArsequellISBN: 0-306-47844-7
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Chapter authors:
Carola G. Vinuesa and Ian C.M. MacLennan
The polysaccharide capsules of Haemophilus influenzae b, pneumococci and meningococci protect these bacteria from innate immune mechanisms. Consequently, antibody responses to these encapsulated organisms are crucial for host defence. These responses are different from those stimulated by conventional protein antigens because the requirement for T cell help is bypassed. The clinical importance of antibody responses to the polysaccharides that coat encapsulated bacteria is underlined by the high rate of morbidity and mortality from these organisms during infancy, when the immature immune system cannot make T-independent responses. The reason for the delay in developing this crucial defence is not known and an evolutionary advantage is not obvious. Our understanding of immune responses to encapsulated bacteria has increased substantially over the last few years. Specialized subsets of B cells—marginal zone B cells and peritoneal B1 cells— are responsible for the protective extrafollicular antibody response. Recent studies show that rapid B cell activation and fast antibody production, which are crucial to prevent dissemination of encapsulated pathogens, depend on interactions between the innate and adaptive immune systems.
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Antibody Responses to Polysaccharides
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