Differential B cell mediated immune response during Plasmodium yoelii infection in mice

Abstract

B lymphocytes are essential components of the humoral immune response and categorized into various subsets according to specific surface markers, functions, and developmental stages. Each subset of B cells plays a distinct role in the immune response, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the immune system. In this study, we investigated the modulation of different splenic subsets of B cells during Plasmodium yoelii infection. Balb/c mice infected with each Plasmodium yoelii XL and Plasmodium yoelii XNL parasite were used for phenotypic characterization of splenic B cell subsets through flow-cytometry. Our findings indicate that both lethal and non-lethal infections of Plasmodium yoelii result in significant alterations within the B cell compartment of the spleen in Balb/c mice during malaria infection. Notably, a differential expansion of immature B cell subsets T1 and T2 was noticed. A continuous reduction in frequency of both subsets (T1 and T2) during infection with lethal parasite while an increase in these subsets during the recovery from infection with non-lethal parasite was observed. Further, the frequencies of mature B cell subsets, follicular B cells and marginal zone B cells, were reduced during lethal infection which may be leading to susceptibility. Whereas non-lethal parasite infection resulted in increased frequency of follicular B cells in spleen which indicates towards establishment of germinal centre for generation of long-term immunity/resistance to infection. This differential expansion of splenic B cell subsets reflects the distinct characteristics of lethal and non-lethal parasite. Overall, these findings illustrate the potential role of B cells in resistance/susceptibility during malaria infection and further enhance our understanding of the B cell mediated immunological aspects of Plasmodium infection.