Tuberculosis and Humoral Immunity

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About this Research Topic

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Background

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is a severe public health issue that affects one-quarter of the world's population. Around 1.5 million people die annually from tuberculosis, including HIV-related mortality. Although TB is curable, treatment needs six to nine months of multi-antibiotics. This long-term therapy results in drug-induced toxicity, human microbiota dysbiosis, and patient noncompliance, all of which can lead to secondary infections, a weakened immune system, and the establishment of antibiotic-resistant TB. Current efforts to combat TB by enhancing detection and producing more vital anti-TB vaccines and medications remain ineffective. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic damaged the World Health Organization's TB regulations, such as early patient diagnosis, treatment follow-up, and compliance, wiping much of the progress made against TB and other infectious diseases over the past decade. Consequently, tuberculosis (TB) continues to cause enormous human suffering and significant economic loss.

Despite the importance of B-cells in preventing other infectious diseases, most TB research has been focused on cell-mediated immune responses. Emerging evidence now demonstrates the essential role of B-cells and antibodies in the fight against Mtb infection. Anti-Mtb antibodies have been found in the serum of latently and actively infected TB patients, which considerably reduces the mycobacterial burden, according to studies from humans and animals. In addition, reports have shown that B-cell deficient mice have increased pulmonary pathology and mycobacterial burden in the lungs. These findings suggest the importance of B cells in TB immunity. Although we have an in-depth understanding of the cell-mediated arm of TB-mediated immunity, it is essential to note that B cells can influence T cells in a number of ways, such as antigen presentation, antibody, and cytokine production. Therefore, in order to develop better vaccines and therapies, it is crucial to comprehend the host defense against Mtb through a more comprehensive and unbiased assessment of the roles played by B cells, humoral immunity, along with the cell-mediated immune response. This research topic aims to understand how B cell-mediated immunological pathways modulate the immune response to Mtb.

The function of B cells is still mostly unknown. Therefore, additional studies are required to shed light on B-cells’ function, mechanism of action, and interaction with other immune cells. This knowledge will aid in developing improved therapies and efficient vaccines.

We expect submission on the following topics (Not limited to):

• B cell responses during early and late Mtb infection and in response to TB-vaccines

• Mechanism(s) of B cell and antibody-mediated protection in TB

• Evaluation of Mtb antigens triggering B-cell responses

• B-cell aggregate formation in humans and mice in response to Mtb infection

• Innate role of B cells in TB immunity

• Role of B cells in TB/HIV co-infection

• Novel approaches and multi-omic analysis to understand B-cell mediated host defense against TB

Keywords: tuberculosis, B cells, Antibodies, B cell aggregates, vaccines, multi-omic analysys of B Cell responses

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