B-cell abnormalities in HIV-1 infection: roles for IgG3 and T-bet

Numerous B-cell abnormalities in HIV-1 infection have been described over the past three decades yet have remained poorly defined mechanistically. We review recent studies that describe mechanisms of B-cell dysregulation in chronic HIV-1 infection associated with IgG3 and T-bet.

HIV-1 infection causes hypergammaglobulinemia and dysregulation of B-cell populations, including the expansion during chronic viremia of functionally impaired tissue-like memory (TLM) B cells. TLM B cells and B cells in other conditions of chronic activation and inflammation with similar phenotypes are characterized by increased expression of the transcription factor T-bet and preferential immunoglobulin class-switching to IgG3. However, defects in B-cell function during chronic HIV-1 viremia are also associated with the binding of soluble IgG3 to IgM-expressing B cells, with the highest intensities observed on TLM B cells. The consequence of IgG3 binding to TLM B cells is increased clustering of the IgM B-cell receptor and decreased response to stimulation.

The identification of T-bet and IgG3 as the regulators of B-cell function in chronic HIV-1 viremia could provide new targets for therapeutic intervention aimed at reversing the damaging effects of HIV-1-associated chronic immune activation.