Divide and conquer: Division of labor by B-1 B cells

Abstract

Capsular polysaccharides enhance bacterial virulence. In this issue of Immunity, Haas et al. (2005) demonstrate a division of labor between the B-1 B cell subsets: natural antibodies from B-1a cells limit infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae, whereas B-1b cells generate the anticapsule-induced response that prevents fatal infection. Copyright ©2005 by Elsevier Inc.