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In Vitro Effects of Adjuvants on B Cells

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Vaccine Adjuvants

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 626))

Abstract

Stimulation of B cells not only through the B cell antigen receptor (BCR) but also through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can drive activation, proliferation, and differentiation of B cells to result in antigen-specific antibody secretion. In addition, B cells are co-stimulated by specific antigen and the presence of a TLR ligand such as for TLR9, which selectively enhances the development of antigen-specific antibodies and endows B cells with strong antigen-presenting capabilities to T cells. These effects promote antigen-specific immune responses and account for the strong adjuvant effect of TLR9 ligands. Several studies have described the activation of human or murine B cells by TLR ligands or other adjuvants. However, there are no reports summarizing the various different effects adjuvants can have on B cells, nor how to best measure these effects. Here, we will try to give an overview on the TLR expression pattern of human, primate, and murine B cells, their stimulation by TLR ligands or other adjuvants, and the outcome such as B cell proliferation and cytokine production.

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Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Drs. Alexandra Forsbach, Marion Jurk, and Ulrike Samulowitz for experimental support and helpful scientific discussions, and Silke Fähndrich for assistance in manuscript preparation. Both authors are employees of Pfizer and may have a financial interest in the therapeutic development of TLR7 and TLR9 agonists.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coley Pharmaceutical GmbH, A Pfizer Company, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Jörg Vollmer & Hanna Bellert

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  1. Jörg Vollmer
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  2. Hanna Bellert
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Correspondence to Jörg Vollmer .

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  1. Dept. Cardio & Vascular Sciences, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom

    Gwyn Davies

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Vollmer, J., Bellert, H. (2010). In Vitro Effects of Adjuvants on B Cells. In: Davies, G. (eds) Vaccine Adjuvants. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 626. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-585-9_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-585-9_10

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

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