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Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice
Published on: June 22, 2016
Cutting Edge: B Cell-Intrinsic T-bet Expression Is Required To Control Chronic Viral Infection
Burton E Barnett1, Ryan P Staupe1, Pamela M Odorizzi1
1Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104; Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104;
Abstract:
The role of Ab and B cells in preventing infection is established. In contrast, the role of B cell responses in containing chronic infections remains poorly understood. IgG2a (IgG1 in humans) can prevent acute infections, and T-bet promotes IgG2a isotype switching. However, whether IgG2a and B cell-expressed T-bet influence the host-pathogen balance during persisting infections is unclear. We demonstrate that B cell-specific loss of T-bet prevents control of persisting viral infection. T-bet in B cells controlled IgG2a production, as well as mucosal localization, proliferation, glycosylation, and a broad transcriptional program. T-bet controlled a broad antiviral program in addition to IgG2a because T-bet in B cells was important, even in the presence of virus-specific IgG2a. Our data support a model in which T-bet is a universal controller of antiviral immunity across multiple immune lineages.
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