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How to B(e)-1 Important Cell During Leishmania Infection
Luan Firmino-Cruz1,2, Debora Decote-Ricardo3, Daniel Claudio de Oliveira Gomes4
1Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Insights
B-1 cells, a unique lymphocyte subset, play a role in Leishmania infections. This review assesses their impact on disease progression across various Leishmania species.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Parasitology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- B-1 cells are innate-like B lymphocytes (B-1a and B-1b) involved in immune regulation, antigen presentation, and IL-10 production.
- Leishmaniasis, caused by *Leishmania* parasites, elicits diverse host immune responses, with susceptibility linked to anti-inflammatory cytokines and resistance to Th1 cytokines.
- The role of B-1 cells in *Leishmania* infection remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compile and assess existing studies on the influence of B-1 cells in *Leishmania* infections.
- To evaluate the impact of B-1 cells on disease progression across different *Leishmania* species.
Main Methods:
- Review of *in vivo* studies using the XID mouse model (BALB/Xid), which possess a mutation affecting B-1 cell development.
- Analysis of *in vitro* interactions between B-1 cells and *Leishmania* parasites.
Main Results:
- XID mice, deficient in B-1 cells, exhibit altered immune responses and disease progression in leishmaniasis.
- B-1 cells modulate the host immune response to *Leishmania*, influencing susceptibility or resistance.
Conclusions:
- B-1 cells are significant modulators of the immune response during leishmaniasis.
- Understanding B-1 cell function is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies against diverse *Leishmania* species.
Abstract:
B-1 cells are an innate-like population of B lymphocytes that are subdivided into B-1a and B-1b distinguished by the presence or absence of CD5, respectively. B-1 cells can act as regulatory B cells, are able to present antigen and produce IL-10. Leishmaniasis in humans is a complex of diseases caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. More than 20 species can infect humans, with each species causing the development of different immunological responses in the host. Susceptibility is usually related to the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines while the production of Th1 cytokines is indicative of resistance. However, few studies have attempted to evaluate the role of B-1 cells during either the in vivo infection or in vitro interaction with Leishmania parasites. In vivo studies were performed using XID mice model, BALB/Xid mice have a mutation in the Bruton's tyrosine kinase, which is an important enzyme for developing B-1 and maturing B-2 lymphocytes leading to the presence of immature B-2 cells. Here, we compile these studies and assess the influence of B-1 cells on disease progression with different Leishmania species.

