B Cell-mediated regulation of immunity during leishmania infection

Abstract

Intracellular pathogens cause a wide spectrum of clinical disease ranging from mild self-limiting infections to chronic diseases and even acute life-threatening illnesses. T cell-mediated immunity is central to effective immune control of Leishmania infection and the role that B cells and antibodies play in promoting immunopathology during disease associated with chronic Leishmania infection is becoming more clear. However, the role that B cells and antibodies play during a successful immune response may be subtle and range from protecting the host from a robust cell-mediated response to enhancing immune effectiveness. The B cell response may therefore be a significant component of both ineffective and effective immunity to Leishmania infection.