Expression of the B cell repertoire and autoantibodies in human African trypanosomiasis

The relative importance of polyclonal B cell activation has been studied in relation to the development of autoantibodies in human African trypanosomiasis. In 34 patients investigated before specific treatment a broad expression of the B cell repertoire was observed including the production of anti-hapten (FITC, Penicillin, Phosphorylcholin) antibodies, of high levels of antibodies against some heterologous protein antigens (ovalbumin and tetanus toxoid) and of autoantibodies. Anti-ssDNA antibodies were detected in 84% of the patients and anti-IgG rheumatoid factors in 88%. Anti-striated muscle and anti-smooth muscle antibodies were also observed in 57 and 63% of the patients. Correlation analysis indicated that the formation of anti-DNA antibodies is associated with polyclonal B cell activation but probably depends on an additional B cell stimulation by released DNA or cross-reacting antigens. Anti-immunoglobulin antibodies are closely correlated with polyclonal B cell activation and their production is likely to reflect the high frequency of anti-IgG B cell precursors in the normal human B cell repertoire. The significance of these observations in relation to the pathological expression of trypanosomiasis should be particularly considered in the generation of immune complexes either in circulating blood or locally at the sites of parasite destruction.