B cell-mediated Immunity against Tuberculosis Infection: A Mini Review Study

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is considered to be a major public health concern and a successful intracellular pathogen associated with high mortality worldwide. The Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is the only available vaccine for the prevention of tuberculosis (TB) and tubercular meningitis in children. However, BCG is not adequately effective in the treatment of the adults affected to TB. According to the literature, there are controversial data on the potential role of B cells. B cells and humoral immune response play a key role in the amplification of the host immune response against TB. This review study aimed to discuss B cells and humoral immune responses in TB infection and assess its application as a therapeutic option. The monitoring of various B cell phenotypes in TB could be a reliable marker for the prediction of TB in individuals, especially in the latent form. According to the findings, the CMI response (especially Th1 activities) is not sufficient for efficient protection against TB, and B cells and Abs influence the innate immunocytes and Th1, while playing a pivotal role in various outcomes of exposure with tubercle bacilli. Although B cells may contribute to Mtb in the development of active TB, further investigations are required regarding the effects of B cells and humoral immunity on TB pathogenesis and the targeted harmful humoral-mediated response. Moreover, B cells and antibodies could be proper biomarkers to promote the studies regarding the detection of reliable diagnostic tools for the reactivation of latent TB, as well as use as a new generation of therapeutic options.