Malaria-associated atypical memory B cells exhibit markedly reduced B cell receptor signaling and effector function

The impact of Plasmodium-driven immunoregulatory networks on immunity to malaria

Malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium parasites, drives multiple regulatory responses across the immune landscape. These regulatory responses help to protect against inflammatory disease but may in some situations hamper the acquisition of adaptive immune responses that clear parasites. In addition, the regulatory responses that occur during Plasmodium infection may negatively affect malaria vaccine efficacy in the most at-risk populations. Here, we discuss the specific cellular mechanisms of immunoregulatory networks that develop during malaria, with a focus on knowledge gained from human studies and studies that involve the main malaria parasite to affect humans, Plasmodium falciparum. Leveraging this knowledge may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to increase protective immunity to malaria during infection or after vaccination.

Differences in phenotype between long-lived memory B cells against Plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigens and variant surface antigens

Plasmodium falciparum infections elicit strong humoral immune responses to two main groups of antigens expressed by blood-stage parasites: merozoite antigens that are involved in the erythrocyte invasion process and variant surface antigens that mediate endothelial sequestration of infected erythrocytes. Long-lived B cells against both antigen classes can be detected in the circulation for years after exposure, but have not been directly compared. Here, we studied the phenotype of long-lived memory and atypical B cells to merozoite antigens (MSP1 and AMA1) and variant surface antigens (the CIDRα1 domain of PfEMP1) in Ugandan adults before and after local reduction of P. falciparum transmission. After a median of 1.7 years without P. falciparum infections, the percentage of antigen-specific activated B cells declined, but long-lived antigen-specific B cells were still detectable in all individuals. The majority of MSP1/AMA1-specific B cells were CD95+CD11c+ memory B cells, which are primed for rapid differentiation into antibody-secreting cells, and FcRL5-T-bet- atypical B cells. On the other hand, most CIDRα1-specific B cells were CD95-CD11c- memory B cells. CIDRα1-specific B cells were also enriched among a subset of atypical B cells that seem poised for antigen presentation. These results point to differences in how these antigens are recognized or processed by the immune system and how P. falciparum-specific B cells will respond upon re-infection.

Current and future use of antibody-based passive immunity to prevent or control HBV/HDV infections

With the increasing momentum and success of monoclonal antibody therapy in conventional medical practices, there is a revived emphasis on the development of monoclonal antibodies targeting the hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis D (HDV). Combination therapies of anti-HBs monoclonal antibodies, and novel anti-HBV compounds and immunomodulatory drugs presenting a promising avenue to enhanced therapeutic outcomes in HBV/HDV cure regimens. In this review, we will cover the role of antibodies in the protection and clearance of HBV infection, the association of anti-HBV surface antigen antibodies (anti-HBs) in protection against HBV and how antibody effector functions, beyond neutralization, are likely necessary. Lastly, we will review clinical data from previous and ongoing clinical trials of passive antibody therapy to provide a state-of-the-are perspective on passive antibody therapies in combinations with additional novel agents.

Tissue-specific sex differences in pediatric and adult immune cell composition and function

Sex-based differences in immune cell composition and function can contribute to distinct adaptive immune responses. Prior work has quantified these differences in peripheral blood, but little is known about sex differences within human lymphoid tissues. Here, we characterized the composition and phenotypes of adaptive immune cells from male and female ex vivo tonsils and evaluated their responses to influenza antigens using an immune organoid approach. In a pediatric cohort, female tonsils had more memory B cells compared to male tonsils direct ex vivo and after stimulation with live-attenuated but not inactivated vaccine, produced higher influenza-specific antibody responses. Sex biases were also observed in adult tonsils but were different from those measured in children. Analysis of peripheral blood immune cells from in vivo vaccinated adults also showed higher frequencies of tissue homing CD4 T cells in female participants. Together, our data demonstrate that distinct memory B and T cell profiles are present in male vs. female lymphoid tissues and peripheral blood respectively and suggest that these differences may in part explain sex biases in response to vaccines and viruses.

Regulation of B-cell function and expression of CD11c, T-bet, and FcRL5 in response to different activation signals

CD11c, FcRL5, or T-bet are commonly expressed by B cells expanding during inflammation, where they can make up >30% of mature B cells. However, the association between the proteins and differentiation and function in the host response remains largely unclear. We have assessed the co-expression of CD11c, T-bet, and FcRL5 in an in vitro B-cell culture system to determine how stimulation via the BCR, toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), and different cytokines influence CD11c, T-bet, and FcRL5 expression. We observed different expression dynamics for all markers, but a largely overlapping regulation of CD11c and FcRL5 in response to BCR and TLR9 activation, while T-bet was strongly dependent on IFN-γ signaling. Investigating plasma cell differentiation and APC functions, there was no association between marker expression and antibody secretion or T-cell help. Rather the functions were associated with TLR9-signalling and B-cell-derived IL-6 production, respectively. These results suggest that the expression of CD11c, FcRL5, and T-bet and plasma cell differentiation and improved APC functions occur in parallel and are regulated by similar activation signals, but they are not interdependent.

Osteomyelitis is associated with increased anti-inflammatory response and immune exhaustion

Introduction

Osteomyelitis (OMS) is a bone infection causing bone pain and severe complications. A balanced immune response is critical to eradicate infection without harming the host, yet pathogens manipulate immunity to establish a chronic infection. Understanding OMS-driven inflammation is essential for disease management, but comprehensive data on immune profiles and immune cell activation during OMS are lacking.

Methods

Using high-dimensional flow cytometry, we investigated the detailed innate and adaptive systemic immune cell populations in OMS and age- and sex-matched controls.

Results

Our study revealed that OMS is associated with increased levels of immune regulatory cells, namely T regulatory cells, B regulatory cells, and T follicular regulatory cells. In addition, the expression of immune activation markers HLA-DR and CD86 was decreased in OMS, while the expression of immune exhaustion markers TIM-3, PD-1, PD-L1, and VISTA was increased. Members of the T follicular helper (Tfh) cell family as well as classical and typical memory B cells were significantly increased in OMS individuals. We also found a strong correlation between memory B cells and Tfh cells.

Discussion

We conclude that OMS skews the host immune system towards the immunomodulatory arm and that the Tfh memory B cell axis is evident in OMS. Therefore, immune-directed therapies may be a promising alternative for eradication and recurrence of infection in OMS, particularly in individuals and areas where antibiotic resistance is a major concern.

Chronic malaria exposure is associated with inhibitory markers on T cells that correlate with atypical memory and marginal zone-like B cells

Chronic immune activation from persistent malaria infections can induce immunophenotypic changes associated with T-cell exhaustion. However, associations between T and B cells during chronic exposure remain undefined. We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells from malaria-exposed pregnant women from Papua New Guinea and Spanish malaria-naïve individuals using flow cytometry to profile T-cell exhaustion markers phenotypically. T-cell lineage (CD3, CD4, and CD8), inhibitory (PD1, TIM3, LAG3, CTLA4, and 2B4), and senescence (CD28-) markers were assessed. Dimensionality reduction methods revealed increased PD1, TIM3, and LAG3 expression in malaria-exposed individuals. Manual gating confirmed significantly higher frequencies of PD1+CD4+ and CD4+, CD8+, and double-negative (DN) T cells expressing TIM3 in malaria-exposed individuals. Increased frequencies of T cells co-expressing multiple markers were also found in malaria-exposed individuals. T-cell data were analyzed with B-cell populations from a previous study where we reported an alteration of B-cell subsets, including increased frequencies of atypical memory B cells (aMBC) and reduction in marginal zone (MZ-like) B cells during malaria exposure. Frequencies of aMBC subsets and MZ-like B cells expressing CD95+ had significant positive correlations with CD28+PD1+TIM3+CD4+ and DN T cells and CD28+TIM3+2B4+CD8+ T cells. Frequencies of aMBC, known to associate with malaria anemia, were inversely correlated with hemoglobin levels in malaria-exposed women. Similarly, inverse correlations with hemoglobin levels were found for TIM3+CD8+ and CD28+PD1+TIM3+CD4+ T cells. Our findings provide further insights into the effects of chronic malaria exposure on circulating B- and T-cell populations, which could impact immunity and responses to vaccination.

Zeb2 drives the formation of CD11c+ atypical B cells to sustain germinal centers that control persistent infection

CD11c+ atypical B cells (ABCs) are an alternative memory B cell lineage associated with immunization, infection, and autoimmunity. However, the factors that drive the transcriptional program of ABCs have not been identified, and the function of this population remains incompletely understood. Here, we identified candidate transcription factors associated with the ABC population based on a human tonsillar B cell single-cell dataset. We identified CD11c+ B cells in mice with a similar transcriptomic signature to human ABCs, and using an optimized CRISPR-Cas9 knockdown screen, we observed that loss of zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (Zeb2) impaired ABC formation. Furthermore, ZEB2 haplo-insufficient Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS) patients have decreased circulating ABCs in the blood. In Cd23Cre/+Zeb2fl/fl mice with impaired ABC formation, ABCs were dispensable for efficient humoral responses after Plasmodium sporozoite immunization but were required to control recrudescent blood-stage malaria. Immune phenotyping revealed that ABCs drive optimal T follicular helper (TFH) cell formation and germinal center (GC) responses and they reside at the red/white pulp border, likely permitting better access to pathogen antigens for presentation. Collectively, our study shows that ABC formation is dependent on Zeb2, and these cells can limit recrudescent infection by sustaining GC reactions.

Gene expression analyses reveal differences in children's response to malaria according to their age

In Bandiagara, Mali, children experience on average two clinical malaria episodes per year. However, even in the same transmission area, the number of uncomplicated symptomatic infections, and their parasitemia, can vary dramatically among children. We simultaneously characterize host and parasite gene expression profiles from 136 Malian children with symptomatic falciparum malaria and examine differences in the relative proportion of immune cells and parasite stages, as well as in gene expression, associated with infection and or patient characteristics. Parasitemia explains much of the variation in host and parasite gene expression, and infections with higher parasitemia display proportionally more neutrophils and fewer T cells, suggesting parasitemia-dependent neutrophil recruitment and/or T cell extravasation to secondary lymphoid organs. The child's age also strongly correlates with variations in gene expression: Plasmodium falciparum genes associated with age suggest that older children carry more male gametocytes, while variations in host gene expression indicate a stronger innate response in younger children and stronger adaptive response in older children. These analyses highlight the variability in host responses and parasite regulation during P. falciparum symptomatic infections and emphasize the importance of considering the children's age when studying and treating malaria infections.

Status of B-Lymphocyte Subsets and Their Homing Markers in Patients With Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis

In visceral leishmaniasis, the Type II helper T cell predominance results in B cell modulation and enhancement of anti-leishmanial IgG. However, information regarding its dermal sequel, post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), remains limited. Accordingly, this study aimed to elucidate the B cell-mediated antibody-dependent/independent immune profiles of PKDL patients. In the peripheral blood of PKDL patients, immunophenotyping of B cell subsets was performed by flow cytometry and by immunohistochemistry at lesional sites. The functionality of B cells was assessed in terms of skin IgG by immunofluorescence, while the circulating levels of B cell chemoattractants (CCL20, CXCL13, CCL17, CCL22, CCL19, CCL27, CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11) were evaluated by a multiplex assay. In patients with PKDL as compared with healthy controls, there was a significant decrease in pan CD19+ B cells. However, within the CD19+ B cell population, there was a significantly raised proportion of switched memory B cells (CD19+IgD-CD27+) and plasma cells (CD19+IgD-CD38+CD27+). This was corroborated at lesional sites where a higher expression of CD20+ B cells and CD138+ plasma cells was evident; they were Ki67 negative and demonstrated a raised IgG. The circulating levels of B cell chemoattractants were raised and correlated positively with lesional CD20+ B cells. The increased levels of B cell homing markers possibly accounted for their enhanced presence at the lesional sites. There was a high proportion of plasma cells, which accounted for the increased presence of IgG that possibly facilitated parasite persistence and disease progression.

Atypical memory B cell frequency correlates with antibody breadth and function in malaria immune adults

Clinical immunity to malaria develops slowly after repeated episodes of infection and antibodies are essential in naturally acquired immunity against malaria. However, chronic exposure to malaria has been linked to perturbation in B-cell homeostasis with the accumulation of atypical memory B cells. It is unclear how perturbations in B cell subsets influence antibody breadth, avidity, and function in individuals naturally exposed to malaria. We show that individuals living in high malaria transmission regions in Ghana have higher Plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigen-specific antibodies and an increased antibody breadth score but lower antibody avidities relative to low transmission regions. The frequency of circulating atypical memory B cells is positively associated with an individual's antibody breadth. In vitro growth inhibition is independent of the ability to bind to free merozoites but associated with the breadth of antibody reactivity in an individual. Taken together, our data shows that repeated malaria episodes hamper the development of high avid antibodies which is compensated for by an increase in antibody breadth. Our results provide evidence to reinforce the idea that in regions with high malaria prevalence, repeated malaria infections lead to the broadening of antibody diversity and the continued presence of atypical memory B cell populations.

IgG Subclass Switch in Volunteers Repeatedly Immunized with the Full-Length Plasmodium falciparum Merozoite Surface Protein 1 (MSP1)

Vaccines are highly effective tools against infectious diseases and are also considered necessary in the fight against malaria. Vaccine-induced immunity is frequently mediated by antibodies. We have recently conducted a first-in-human clinical trial featuring SumayaVac-1, a malaria vaccine based on the recombinant, full-length merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1FL) formulated with GLA-SE as an adjuvant. Vaccination with MSP1FL was safe and elicited sustainable IgG antibody titers that exceeded those observed in semi-immune populations from Africa. Moreover, IgG antibodies stimulated various Fc-mediated effector mechanisms associated with protection against malaria. However, these functionalities gradually waned. Here, we show that the initial two doses of SumayaVac-1 primarily induced the cytophilic subclasses IgG1 and IgG3. Unexpectedly, a shift in the IgG subclass composition occurred following the third and fourth vaccinations. Specifically, there was a progressive transition to IgG4 antibodies, which displayed a reduced capacity to engage in Fc-mediated effector functions and also exhibited increased avidity. In summary, our analysis of antibody responses to MSP1FL vaccination unveils a temporal shift towards noninflammatory IgG4 antibodies. These findings underscore the importance of considering the impact of IgG subclass composition on vaccine-induced immunity, particularly concerning Fc-mediated effector functions. This knowledge is pivotal in guiding the design of optimal vaccination strategies against malaria, informing decision making for future endeavors in this critical field.

Profiling the antibody response of humans protected by immunization with Plasmodium vivax radiation-attenuated sporozoites

Malaria sterile immunity has been reproducibly induced by immunization with Plasmodium radiation-attenuated sporozoites (RAS). Analyses of sera from RAS-immunized individuals allowed the identification of P. falciparum antigens, such as the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), the basis for the RTS, S and R21Matrix-M vaccines. Similar advances in P. vivax (Pv) vaccination have been elusive. We previously reported 42% (5/12) of sterile protection in malaria-unexposed, Duffy-positive (Fy +) volunteers immunized with PvRAS followed by a controlled human malaria infection (CHMI). Using a custom protein microarray displaying 515 Pv antigens, we found a significantly higher reactivity to PvCSP and one hypothetical protein (PVX_089630) in volunteers protected against P. vivax infection. In mock-vaccinated Fy + volunteers, a strong antibody response to CHMI was also observed. Although the Fy- volunteers immunized with non-irradiated Pv-infected mosquitoes (live sporozoites) did not develop malaria after CHMI, they recognized a high number of antigens, indicating the temporary presence of asexual parasites in peripheral blood. Together, our findings contribute to the understanding of the antibody response to P. vivax infection and allow the identification of novel parasite antigens as vaccine candidates.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01082341.

Cartilage destruction in early rheumatoid arthritis patients correlates with CD21-/low double-negative B cells

BACKGROUND

Involvement of B cells in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is supported by the presence of disease-specific autoantibodies and the efficacy of treatment directed against B cells. B cells that express low levels of or lack the B cell receptor (BCR) co-receptor CD21, CD21-/low B cells, have been linked to autoimmune diseases, including RA. In this study, we characterized the CD21+ and CD21-/low B cell subsets in newly diagnosed, early RA (eRA) patients and investigated whether any of the B cell subsets were associated with autoantibody status, disease activity and/or joint destruction.

METHODS

Seventy-six eRA patients and 28 age- and sex-matched healthy donors were recruited. Multiple clinical parameters were assessed, including disease activity and radiographic joint destruction. B cell subsets were analysed in peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Compared to healthy donors, the eRA patients displayed an elevated frequency of naïve CD21+ B cells in PB. Amongst memory B cells, eRA patients had lower frequencies of the CD21+CD27+ subsets and CD21-/low CD27+IgD+ subset. The only B cell subset found to associate with clinical factors was the CD21-/low double-negative (DN, CD27-IgD-) cell population, linked with the joint space narrowing score, i.e. cartilage destruction. Moreover, in SF from patients with established RA, the CD21-/low DN B cells were expanded and these cells expressed receptor activator of the nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL).

CONCLUSIONS

Cartilage destruction in eRA patients was associated with an expanded proportion of CD21-/low DN B cells in PB. The subset was also expanded in SF from established RA patients and expressed RANKL. Taken together, our results suggest a role for CD21-/low DN in RA pathogenesis.

Emerging insights into atypical B cells in pediatric chronic infectious diseases and immune system disorders: T(o)-bet on control of B-cell immune activation

Repetitive or persistent cellular stimulation in vivo has been associated with the development of a heterogeneous B-cell population that exhibits a distinctive phenotype and, in addition to classical B-cell markers, often expresses the transcription factor T-bet and myeloid marker CD11c. Research suggests that this atypical population consists of B cells with distinct B-cell receptor specificities capable of binding the antigens responsible for their development. The expansion of this population occurs in the presence of chronic inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases where different nomenclatures have been used to describe them. However, as a result of the diverse contexts in which they have been investigated, these cells have remained largely enigmatic, with much ambiguity remaining regarding their phenotype and function in humoral immune response as well as their role in autoimmunity. Atypical B cells have garnered considerable interest because of their ability to produce specific antibodies and/or autoantibodies and because of their association with key disease manifestations. Although they have been widely described in the context of adults, little information is present for children. Therefore, the aim of this narrative review is to describe the characteristics of this population, suggest their function in pediatric immune-related diseases and chronic infections, and explore their potential therapeutic avenues.

Atypical B cells consist of subsets with distinct functional profiles

Atypical B cells are a population of activated B cells that are commonly enriched in individuals with chronic immune activation but are also part of a normal immune response to infection or vaccination. To better define the role of atypical B cells in the human adaptive immune response, we performed single-cell sequencing of transcriptomes, cell surface markers, and B cell receptors in individuals with chronic exposure to the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, a condition known to lead to accumulation of circulating atypical B cells. We identified three previously uncharacterized populations of atypical B cells with distinct transcriptional and functional profiles and observed marked differences among these three subsets in their ability to produce immunoglobulin G upon T-cell-dependent activation. Our findings help explain the conflicting observations in prior studies regarding the function of atypical B cells and highlight their different roles in the adaptive immune response in chronic inflammatory conditions.

T-bet+ B Cells in Humans: Protective and Pathologic Functions

The humoral immune system comprises B cells and plasma cells, which play important roles in organ transplantation, ranging from the production of both protective and injurious antibodies as well as cytokines that can promote operational tolerance. Recent data from conditions outside of transplantation have identified a novel human B-cell subset that expresses the transcription factor T-bet and exerts pleiotropic functions by disease state. Here, we review the generation, activation, and functions of the T-bet+ B-cell subset outside of allotransplantation, and consider the relevance of this subset as mediators of allograft injury.

The presence of baseline HBsAb-Specific B cells can predict HBsAg or HBeAg seroconversion of chronic hepatitis B on treatment

Indices for predicting HBsAg or HBeAg seroconversion in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection during antiviral therapy remain elusive. We aimed to investigate if the presence of HBsAb-specific B cells at baseline can predict HBsAg or HBeAg seroconversion. In this study, 134 treatment-naive patients with chronic HBV were enrolled. A baseline HBsAb-specific B cell ELISpot assay was performed for all the patients that enrolled. Serum samples were collected at 12, 24, and 48 weeks for patients treated with Peg-IFN-α, or at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years for patients treated with NAs. Laboratory testing of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcAb, HBV DNA, ALT, and AST was done. We observed a significantly lower frequency of HBsAb-specific B cells in patients with chronic HBV than in healthy individuals . In the Peg-IFN-α-treated group, 41.2% of patients with baseline HBsAb-specific B cells achieved HBsAg seroconversion, while only 13.6% of patients without baseline HBsAb-specific B cells achieved HBsAg seroconversion (p = 0.006). By logistic regression analysis, patients with baseline HBsAb-specific B cells and HBsAg ≤ 1500 had higher HBsAg clearance at the end of treatment (p < 0.05). In the NA-treated group, 58.3% of patients with baseline HBsAb-specific B cells achieved HBeAg seroconversion, whereas only 30.0% of patients without baseline HBsAb-specific B cells achieved HBeAg seroconversion (p = 0.114). Our result revealed that baseline HBsAb-specific B cells by ELISpot assay might be a valuable predictive biomarker of HBsAg or HBeAg seroconversion in patients with chronic HBV on treatment.

Cytolytic circumsporozoite-specific memory CD4+ T cell clones are expanded during Plasmodium falciparum infection

Clinical immunity against Plasmodium falciparum infection develops in residents of malaria endemic regions, manifesting in reduced clinical symptoms during infection and in protection against severe disease but the mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we compare the cellular and humoral immune response of clinically immune (0-1 episode over 18 months) and susceptible (at least 3 episodes) during a mild episode of Pf malaria infection in a malaria endemic region of Malawi, by analysing peripheral blood samples using high dimensional mass cytometry (CyTOF), spectral flow cytometry and single-cell transcriptomic analyses. In the clinically immune, we find increased proportions of circulating follicular helper T cells and classical monocytes, while the humoral immune response shows characteristic age-related differences in the protected. Presence of memory CD4+ T cell clones with a strong cytolytic ZEB2+ T helper 1 effector signature, sharing identical T cell receptor clonotypes and recognizing the Pf-derived circumsporozoite protein (CSP) antigen are found in the blood of the Pf-infected participants gaining protection. Moreover, in clinically protected participants, ZEB2+ memory CD4+ T cells express lower level of inhibitory and chemotactic receptors. We thus propose that clonally expanded ZEB2+ CSP-specific cytolytic memory CD4+ Th1 cells may contribute to clinical immunity against the sporozoite and liver-stage Pf malaria.

The extrafollicular B cell response is a hallmark of childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

The efficacy of the B cell-targeting drug rituximab (RTX) in childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) suggests that B cells may be implicated in disease pathogenesis. However, B cell characterization in children with INS remains limited. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing, we demonstrate that a B cell transcriptional program poised for effector functions represents the major immune perturbation in blood samples from children with active INS. This transcriptional profile was associated with an extrafollicular B cell response marked by the expansion of atypical B cells (atBCs), marginal zone-like B cells, and antibody-secreting cells (ASCs). Flow cytometry of blood from 13 children with active INS and 24 healthy donors confirmed the presence of an extrafollicular B cell response denoted by the expansion of proliferating RTX-sensitive extrafollicular (CXCR5-) CD21low T-bet+ CD11c+ atBCs and short-lived T-bet+ ASCs in INS. Together, our study provides evidence for an extrafollicular origin for humoral immunity in active INS.

Single cell transcriptomics shows that malaria promotes unique regulatory responses across multiple immune cell subsets

Plasmodium falciparum malaria drives immunoregulatory responses across multiple cell subsets, which protects from immunopathogenesis, but also hampers the development of effective anti-parasitic immunity. Understanding malaria induced tolerogenic responses in specific cell subsets may inform development of strategies to boost protective immunity during drug treatment and vaccination. Here, we analyse the immune landscape with single cell RNA sequencing during P. falciparum malaria. We identify cell type specific responses in sub-clustered major immune cell types. Malaria is associated with an increase in immunosuppressive monocytes, alongside NK and γδ T cells which up-regulate tolerogenic markers. IL-10-producing Tr1 CD4 T cells and IL-10-producing regulatory B cells are also induced. Type I interferon responses are identified across all cell types, suggesting Type I interferon signalling may be linked to induction of immunoregulatory networks during malaria. These findings provide insights into cell-specific and shared immunoregulatory changes during malaria and provide a data resource for further analysis.

Tracking antigen-specific TCR clonotypes in SARS-CoV-2 infection reveals distinct severity trajectories

Despite the importance of antigen-specific T cells in infectious disease, characterizing and tracking clonally amplified T cells during the progression of a patient's symptoms remain unclear. Here, we performed a longitudinal, in-depth single-cell multiomics analysis of samples from asymptomatic, mild, usual severe, and delayed severe patients of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our in-depth analysis revealed that hyperactive or improper T-cell responses were more aggressive in delayed severe patients. Interestingly, tracking of antigen-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) clonotypes along the developmental trajectory indicated an attenuation in functional T cells upon severity. In addition, increased glycolysis and interleukin-6 signaling in the cytotoxic T cells were markedly distinct in delayed severe patients compared to usual severe patients, particularly in the middle and late stages of infection. Tracking B-cell receptor clonotypes also revealed distinct transitions and somatic hypermutations within B cells across different levels of disease severity. Our results suggest that single-cell TCR clonotype tracking can distinguish the severity of patients through immunological hallmarks, leading to a better understanding of the severity differences in and improving the management of infectious diseases by analyzing the dynamics of immune responses over time.

Gene expression analyses reveal differences in children's response to malaria according to their age

In Bandiagara, Mali, children experience on average two clinical malaria episodes per season. However, even in the same transmission area, the number of uncomplicated symptomatic infections, and their parasitemia, vary dramatically among children. To examine the factors contributing to these variations, we simultaneously characterized the host and parasite gene expression profiles from 136 children with symptomatic falciparum malaria and analyzed the expression of 9,205 human and 2,484 Plasmodium genes. We used gene expression deconvolution to estimate the relative proportion of immune cells and parasite stages in each sample and to adjust the differential gene expression analyses. Parasitemia explained much of the variation in both host and parasite gene expression and revealed that infections with higher parasitemia had more neutrophils and fewer T cells, suggesting parasitemia-dependent neutrophil recruitment and/or T cell extravasation to secondary lymphoid organs. The child's age was also strongly correlated with gene expression variations. Plasmodium falciparum genes associated with age suggested that older children carried more male gametocytes, while host genes associated with age indicated a stronger innate response (through TLR and NLR signaling) in younger children and stronger adaptive immunity (through TCR and BCR signaling) in older children. These analyses highlight the variability in host responses and parasite regulation during P. falciparum symptomatic infections and emphasize the importance of considering the children's age when studying and treating malaria infections.

Gene expression analyses reveal differences in children's response to malaria according to their age

In Bandiagara, Mali, children experience on average two clinical malaria episodes per season. However, even in the same transmission area, the number of uncomplicated symptomatic infections, and their parasitemia, vary dramatically among children. To examine the factors contributing to these variations, we simultaneously characterized the host and parasite gene expression profiles from 136 children with symptomatic falciparum malaria and analyzed the expression of 9,205 human and 2,484 Plasmodium genes. We used gene expression deconvolution to estimate the relative proportion of immune cells and parasite stages in each sample and to adjust the differential gene expression analyses. Parasitemia explained much of the variation in both host and parasite gene expression and revealed that infections with higher parasitemia had more neutrophils and fewer T cells, suggesting parasitemia-dependent neutrophil recruitment and/or T cell extravasation to secondary lymphoid organs. The child's age was also strongly correlated with gene expression variations. Plasmodium falciparum genes associated with age suggested that older children carried more male gametocytes, while host genes associated with age indicated a stronger innate response (through TLR and NLR signaling) in younger children and stronger adaptive immunity (through TCR and BCR signaling) in older children. These analyses highlight the variability in host responses and parasite regulation during P. falciparum symptomatic infections and emphasize the importance of considering the children's age when studying and treating malaria infections.

B cell responses to membrane-presented antigens require the function of the mechanosensitive cation channel Piezo1

The demand for a vaccine for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) highlighted gaps in our understanding of the requirements for B cell responses to antigens, particularly to membrane-presented antigens, as occurs in vivo. We found that human B cell responses to membrane-presented antigens required the function of Piezo1, a plasma membrane mechanosensitive cation channel. Simply making contact with a glass probe induced calcium (Ca2+) fluxes in B cells that were blocked by the Piezo1 inhibitor GsMTx4. When placed on glass surfaces, the plasma membrane tension of B cells increased, which stimulated Ca2+ influx and spreading of B cells over the glass surface, which was blocked by the Piezo1 inhibitor OB-1. B cell responses to membrane-presented antigens but not to soluble antigens were inhibited both by Piezo1 inhibitors and by siRNA-mediated knockdown of Piezo1. Thus, the activation of Piezo1 defines an essential event in B cell activation to membrane-presented antigens that may be exploited to improve the efficacy of vaccines.

Functions of double-negative B cells in autoimmune diseases, infections, and cancers

Most mature B cells can be divided into four subtypes based on the expression of the surface markers IgD and CD27: IgD+ CD27- naïve B cells, IgD+ CD27+ unswitched memory B cells, IgD- CD27+ switched memory B cells, and IgD- CD27- double-negative (DN) B cells. Despite their small population size in normal peripheral blood, DN B cells play integral roles in various diseases. For example, they generate autoimmunity in autoimmune conditions, while these cells may generate both autoimmune and antipathogenic responses in COVID-19, or act in a purely antipathogenic capacity in malaria. Recently, DN B cells have been identified in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and non-small-cell lung cancers, where they may play an immunosuppressive role. The distinct functions that DN B cells play in different diseases suggest that they are a heterogeneous B-cell population. Therefore, further study of the mechanisms underlying the involvement of DN B cells in these diseases is essential for understanding their pathogenesis and the development of therapeutic strategies. Further research is thus warranted to characterize the DN B-cell population in detail.

Distinct dynamics of antigen-specific induction and differentiation of different CD11c+Tbet+ B-cell subsets

BACKGROUND

CD11c+Tbet+ B cells are enriched in autoimmunity and chronic infections and also expand on immune challenge in healthy individuals. CD11c+Tbet+ B cells remain an enigmatic B-cell population because of their intrinsic heterogeneity.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen-specific development and differentiation properties of 3 separate CD11c+ B-cell subsets-age-associated B cells (ABCs), double-negative 2 (DN2) B cells, and activated naive B cells-and compared them to their canonical CD11c- counterparts.

METHODS

Dynamics of the response of the 3 CD11c+ B-cell subsets were assessed at SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in healthy donors by spectral flow cytometry. Distinct CD11c+ B-cell subsets were functionally characterized by optimized in vitro cultures.

RESULTS

In contrast to a durable expansion of antigen-specific CD11c- memory B cells over time, both ABCs and DN2 cells were strongly expanded shortly after second vaccination and subsequently contracted. Functional characterization of antibody-secreting cell differentiation dynamics revealed that CD11c+Tbet+ B cells were primed for antibody-secreting cell differentiation compared to relevant canonical CD11c- counterparts.

CONCLUSION

Overall, CD11c+Tbet+ B cells encompass heterogeneous subpopulations, of which primarily ABCs as well as DN2 B cells respond early to immune challenge and display a pre-antibody-secreting cell phenotype.

Atypical B cells and impaired SARS-CoV-2 neutralization following heterologous vaccination in the elderly

Suboptimal responses to a primary vaccination course have been reported in the elderly, but there is little information regarding the impact of age on responses to booster third doses. Here, we show that individuals 70 years or older (median age 73, range 70-75) who received a primary two-dose schedule with AZD1222 and booster third dose with mRNA vaccine achieve significantly lower neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudotyped virus compared with those younger than 70 (median age 66, range 54-69) at 1 month post booster. Impaired neutralization potency and breadth post third dose in the elderly is associated with circulating "atypical" spike-specific B cells expressing CD11c and FCRL5. However, when considering individuals who received three doses of mRNA vaccine, we did not observe differences in neutralization or enrichment in atypical B cells. This work highlights the finding that AdV and mRNA COVID-19 vaccine formats differentially instruct the memory B cell response.

Double-negative-2 B cells are the major synovial plasma cell precursor in rheumatoid arthritis

B cells are key pathogenic drivers of chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is limited understanding of the relationship between synovial B cell subsets and pathogenic antibody secreting cells (ASCs). This knowledge is crucial for the development of more targeted B-cell depleting therapies. While CD11c+ double-negative 2 (DN2) B cells have been suggested as an ASC precursor in lupus, to date there is no proven link between the two subsets in RA. We have used both single-cell gene expression and BCR sequencing to study synovial B cells from patients with established RA, in addition to flow cytometry of circulating B cells. To better understand the differentiation patterns within the diseased tissue, a combination of RNA-based trajectory inference and clonal lineage analysis of BCR relationships were used. Both forms of analysis indicated that DN2 B cells serve as a major precursors to synovial ASCs. This study advances our understanding of B cells in RA and reveals the origin of pathogenic ASCs in the RA synovium. Given the significant role of DN2 B cells as a progenitor to pathogenic B cells in RA, it is important to conduct additional research to investigate the origins of DN2 B cells in RA and explore their potential as therapeutic targets in place of the less specific pan-B cells depletion therapies currently in use.

A human antibody epitope map of the malaria vaccine antigen Pfs25

Pfs25 is a leading antigen for a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine and shows moderate transmission-blocking activity and induction of rapidly decreasing antibody titers in clinical trials. A comprehensive definition of all transmission-reducing epitopes of Pfs25 will inform structure-guided design to enhance Pfs25-based vaccines, leading to potent transmission-blocking activity. Here, we compiled a detailed human antibody epitope map comprising epitope binning data and structures of multiple human monoclonal antibodies, including three new crystal structures of Pfs25 in complex with transmission-reducing antibodies from Malian volunteers immunized with Pfs25 conjugated to EPA and adjuvanted with AS01. These structures revealed additional epitopes in Pfs25 capable of reducing transmission and expanded this characterization to malaria-exposed humans. This work informs immunogen design to focus the antibody response to transmission-reducing epitopes of Pfs25, enabling development of more potent transmission-blocking vaccines for malaria.

The Effect of Previous Exposure to Malaria Infection and Clinical Malaria Episodes on the Immune Response to the Two-Dose Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola Vaccine Regimen

We assessed whether the immunogenicity of the two-dose Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola vaccine regimen with a 56-day interval between doses was affected by exposure to malaria before dose 1 vaccination and by clinical episodes of malaria in the period immediately after dose 1 and after dose 2 vaccinations. Previous malaria exposure in participants in an Ebola vaccine trial in Sierra Leone (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02509494) was classified as low, intermediate, and high according to their antibody responses to a panel of Plasmodium falciparum antigens detected using a Luminex MAGPIX platform. Clinical malaria episodes after vaccinations were recorded as part of the trial safety monitoring. Binding antibody responses against the Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein (GP) were measured 57 days post dose 1 and 21 days post dose 2 by ELISA and summarized as Geometric Mean Concentrations (GMCs). Geometric Mean Ratios (GMRs) were used to compare groups with different levels of exposure to malaria. Overall, 587 participants, comprising 188 (32%) adults (aged ≥ 18 years) and 399 (68%) children (aged 1-3, 4-11, and 12-17 years), were included in the analysis. There was no evidence that the anti-EBOV-GP antibody GMCs post dose 1 and post dose 2 differed between categories of previous malaria exposure. There was weak evidence that the GMC at 57 days post dose 1 was lower in participants who had had at least one episode of clinical malaria post dose 1 compared to participants with no diagnosed clinical malaria in the same period (GMR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.69-0.98, p-value = 0.02). However, GMC post dose 2 was not reduced in participants who experienced clinical malaria post-dose 1 and/or post-dose 2 vaccinations. In conclusion, the Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola vaccine regimen is immunogenic in individuals with previous exposure to malaria and in those who experience clinical malaria after vaccination. This vaccine regimen is suitable for prophylaxis against Ebola virus disease in malaria-endemic regions.

B-Cell Responses in Chronic Chagas Disease: Waning of Trypanosoma cruzi-Specific Antibody-Secreting Cells Following Successful Etiological Treatment

BACKGROUND

A drawback in the treatment of chronic Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) is the long time required to achieve complete loss of serological reactivity, the standard for determining treatment efficacy.

METHODS

Antibody-secreting cells and memory B cells specific for Trypanosoma cruzi and their degree of differentiation were evaluated in adult and pediatric study participants with chronic Chagas disease before and after etiological treatment.

RESULTS

T. cruzi-specific antibody-secreting cells disappeared from the circulation in benznidazole or nifurtimox-treated participants with declining parasite-specific antibody levels after treatment, whereas B cells in most participants with unaltered antibody levels were low before treatment and did not change after treatment. The timing of the decay in parasite-specific antibody-secreting B cells was similar to that in parasite-specific antibodies, as measured by a Luminex-based assay, but preceded the decay in antibody levels detected by conventional serology. The phenotype of total B cells returned to a noninfection profile after successful treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

T. cruzi-specific antibodies in the circulation of chronically T. cruzi-infected study participants likely derive from both antigen-driven plasmablasts, which disappear after successful treatment, and long-lived plasma cells, which persist and account for the low frequency and long course to complete seronegative conversion in successfully treated participants.

Integrated systems immunology approach identifies impaired effector T cell memory responses as a feature of progression to severe dengue fever

BACKGROUND

Typical symptoms of uncomplicated dengue fever (DF) include headache, muscle pains, rash, cough, and vomiting. A proportion of cases progress to severe dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), associated with increased vascular permeability, thrombocytopenia, and hemorrhages. Progression to severe dengue is difficult to diagnose at the onset of fever, which complicates patient triage, posing a socio-economic burden on health systems.

METHODS

To identify parameters associated with protection and susceptibility to DHF, we pursued a systems immunology approach integrating plasma chemokine profiling, high-dimensional mass cytometry and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) transcriptomic analysis at the onset of fever in a prospective study conducted in Indonesia.

RESULTS

After a secondary infection, progression to uncomplicated dengue featured transcriptional profiles associated with increased cell proliferation and metabolism, and an expansion of ICOS⁺CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ effector memory T cells. These responses were virtually absent in cases progressing to severe DHF, that instead mounted an innate-like response, characterised by inflammatory transcriptional profiles, high circulating levels of inflammatory chemokines and with high frequencies of CD4^low non-classical monocytes predicting increased odds of severe disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggests that effector memory T cell activation might play an important role ameliorating severe disease symptoms during a secondary dengue infection, and in the absence of that response, a strong innate inflammatory response is required to control viral replication. Our research also identified discrete cell populations predicting increased odds of severe disease, with potential diagnostic value.

Distinctive Kaposi Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Serological Profile during Acute Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Episodes

The seroprevalence of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and the incidence of endemic Kaposi sarcoma (KS) overlap with regions of malaria endemicity in sub-Saharan Africa. Multiple studies have shown an increased risk of KSHV seroconversion in children from high malaria compared to low malaria regions; however, the impact of acute episodes of Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) malaria on KSHV's biphasic life cycle and lytic reactivation has not been determined. Here, we examined KSHV serological profiles and viral loads in 134 children with acute malaria and 221 healthy children from high malaria regions in Kisumu, as well as 77 healthy children from low malaria regions in Nandi. We assayed KSHV, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and P. falciparum malaria antibody responses in these three by multiplexed Luminex assay. We confirmed that KSHV seroprevalence was significantly associated with malaria endemicity (OR = 1.95, 1.18-3.24 95% CI, p = 0.01) with 71-77% seropositivity in high-malaria (Kisumu) compared to 28% in low-malaria (Nandi) regions. Furthermore, KSHV serological profiles during acute malaria episodes were distinct from age-matched non-malaria-infected children from the same region. Paired IgG levels also varied after malaria treatment, with significantly higher anti-ORF59 at day 0 but elevated ORF38, ORF73, and K8.1 at day 3. Acute malaria episodes is characterized by perturbation of KSHV latency in seropositive children, providing further evidence that malaria endemicity contributes to the observed increase in endemic KS incidence in sub-Saharan Africa.

Malaria: influence of Anopheles mosquito saliva on Plasmodium infection

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium protozoa that are transmitted by anopheline mosquitoes. Plasmodium sporozoites are released with saliva when an infected female mosquito takes a blood meal on a vertebrate host. Sporozoites deposited into the skin must enter a blood vessel to start their journey towards the liver. After migration out of the mosquito, sporozoites are associated with, or in proximity to, many components of vector saliva in the skin. Recent work has elucidated how Anopheles saliva, and components of saliva, can influence host-pathogen interactions during the early stage of Plasmodium infection in the skin. Here, we discuss how components of Anopheles saliva can modulate local host responses and affect Plasmodium infectivity. We hypothesize that therapeutic strategies targeting mosquito salivary proteins can play a role in controlling malaria and other vector-borne diseases.

T-bethighCD21low B cells: the need to unify our understanding of a distinct B cell population in health and disease

After many years of a niche research in a few laboratories of the world, T-bet^highCD21^low B cells have entered the limelight during the last years after the discovery of T-bet as common transcription factor of this unconventional B cell population and the increasing awareness of the expansion of these cells in autoimmune and infectious diseases. This population consists of different subsets which share large parts of their transcriptome, essential phenotypic markers, and reduced B cell receptor (BCR) signaling capacity. Inborn errors of immunity have helped to delineate essential signals for their differentiation. While our comprehension of their origin has improved, future research will hopefully profit from a common definition of the different T-bet^highCD21^low subpopulations in order to better define their specific roles during normal and aberrant immune responses.

IgD-CD27- double negative (DN) B cells: Origins and functions in health and disease

Human B cells can be divided into four main subsets based on differential expression of immunoglobulin (Ig)D and CD27. IgD^-CD27^- double negative (DN) B cells make up a heterogeneous group of B cells that have first been described in relation to aging and systemic lupus erythematosus but have been mostly disregarded in B cell research. Over the last few years, DN B cells have gained a lot of interest because of their involvement in autoimmune and infectious diseases. DN B cells can be divided into different subsets that originate via different developmental processes and have different functional properties. Further research into the origin and function of different DN subsets is needed to better understand the role of these B cells in normal immune responses and how they could be targeted in specific pathologies. In this review, we give an overview of both phenotypic and functional properties of DN B cells and provide insight into the currently proposed origins of DN B cells. Moreover, their involvement in normal aging and different pathologies is discussed.

Attenuated humoral responses in HIV after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination linked to B cell defects and altered immune profiles

We assessed a cohort of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) (n = 110) and HIV negative controls (n = 64) after 1, 2 or 3 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses. At all timepoints, PLWH had significantly lower neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers than HIV-negative controls. We also observed a delayed development of neutralization in PLWH that was underpinned by a reduced frequency of spike-specific memory B cells (MBCs). Improved neutralization breadth was seen against the Omicron variant (BA.1) after the third vaccine dose in PLWH but lower nAb responses persisted and were associated with global MBC dysfunction. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination induced robust T cell responses that cross-recognized variants in PLWH. Strikingly, individuals with low or absent neutralization had detectable functional T cell responses. These PLWH had reduced numbers of circulating T follicular helper cells and an enriched population of CXCR3+CD127+CD8+T cells after two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

An inflammatory state remodels the immune microenvironment and improves risk stratification in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematopoietic malignancy with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Here we provide a comprehensive census of the bone marrow immune microenvironment in adult and pediatric patients with AML. We characterize unique inflammation signatures in a subset of AML patients, associated with inferior outcomes. We identify atypical B cells, a dysfunctional B-cell subtype enriched in patients with high-inflammation AML, as well as an increase in CD8+GZMK+ and regulatory T cells, accompanied by a reduction in T-cell clonal expansion. We derive an inflammation-associated gene score (iScore) that associates with poor survival outcomes in patients with AML. Addition of the iScore refines current risk stratifications for patients with AML and may enable identification of patients in need of more aggressive treatment. This work provides a framework for classifying patients with AML based on their immune microenvironment and a rationale for consideration of the inflammatory state in clinical settings.

A close-up on the expanding landscape of CD21-/low B cells in humans

Memory B cells (MBCs) are an essential part of our immunological memory. They respond fast upon re-encountering pathogens and can differentiate into plasma cells that secrete protective antibodies. The focus of this review is on MBCs that lack, or express low levels of, CD21, hereafter referred to as CD21-/low. These cells are expanded in peripheral blood with age and during chronic inflammatory conditions such as viral infections, malaria, common variable immunodeficiency, and autoimmune diseases. CD21-/low MBCs have gained significant attention; they produce disease-specific antibodies/autoantibodies and associate with key disease manifestations in some conditions. These cells can be divided into subsets based on classical B-cell and other markers, e.g. CD11c, FcRL4, and Tbet which, over the years, have become hallmarks to identify these cells. This has resulted in different names including age-associated, autoimmune-associated, atypical, tissue-like, tissue-resident, tissue-restricted, exhausted, or simply CD21-/low B cells. It is however unclear whether the expanded 'CD21-/low' cells in one condition are equivalent to those in another, whether they express an identical gene signature and whether they have a similar function. Here, we will discuss these issues with the goal to understand whether the CD21-/low B cells are comparable in different conditions.

Application of B cell immortalization for the isolation of antibodies and B cell clones from vaccine and infection settings

The isolation and characterization of neutralizing antibodies from infection and vaccine settings informs future vaccine design, and methodologies that streamline the isolation of antibodies and the generation of B cell clones are of great interest. Retroviral transduction to express Bcl-6 and Bcl-xL and transform primary B cells has been shown to promote long-term B cell survival and antibody secretion in vitro, and can be used to isolate antibodies from memory B cells. However, application of this methodology to B cell subsets from different tissues and B cells from chronically infected individuals has not been well characterized. Here, we characterize Bcl-6/Bcl-xL B cell immortalization across multiple tissue types and B cell subsets in healthy and HIV-1 infected individuals, as well as individuals recovering from malaria. In healthy individuals, naïve and memory B cell subsets from PBMCs and tonsil tissue transformed with similar efficiencies, and displayed similar characteristics with respect to their longevity and immunoglobulin secretion. In HIV-1-viremic individuals or in individuals with recent malaria infections, the exhausted CD27^-CD21^- memory B cells transformed with lower efficiency, but the transformed B cells expanded and secreted IgG with similar efficiency. Importantly, we show that this methodology can be used to isolate broadly neutralizing antibodies from HIV-infected individuals. Overall, we demonstrate that Bcl-6/Bcl-xL B cell immortalization can be used to isolate antibodies and generate B cell clones from different B cell populations, albeit with varying efficiencies.

The RTS,S malaria vaccine: Current impact and foundation for the future

The RTS,S vaccine has recently been recommended for implementation as a childhood vaccine in regions with moderate-to-high malaria transmission. We discuss mechanisms of vaccine protection and longevity, implementation considerations, and future research needed to increase the vaccine’s health impact, including vaccine modifications for higher efficacy and longevity of protection.

Multicohort transcriptome analysis of whole blood identifies robust human response signatures in Plasmodium falciparum infections

Background

To understand how Plasmodium falciparum malaria is controlled, it is essential to elucidate the transcriptomic responses of the human host in naturally-exposed populations. Various individual studies of the human transcriptomic responses to naturally transmitted P. falciparum infections have been reported with varying results. Multicohort gene expression analysis by aggregating data from diverse populations into a single analysis will increase the reproducibility and reliability of the results.

Methods

In this study, discovery cohorts GSE1124-GPL96, GSE34404, GSE117613, and validation cohort GSE35858 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus. A meta-analysis using data from the multicohort studies was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between malaria-infected and noninfected individuals using the MetaIntegrator R package. Subsequently, the protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks of the DEGs were constructed using Cytoscape software. Significant modules were selected, and the hub genes were identified using the CytoHubba and MCODE plug-ins. Multicohort WGCNA was conducted to find a correlation between modules and malaria infection. Furthermore, the immune cell profile of the peripheral blood in different groups was identified using ssGSEA.

Results

These analyses reveal that neutrophil activation, neutrophil-mediated immunity, and neutrophil degranulation are involved in the human response to natural malaria infection. However, neutrophil cell enrichment and activation were not significantly different between mild malaria and severe malaria groups. Malaria infection also downregulates host genes in ribosome synthesis and protein translation and upregulates host cell division-related genes. Furthermore, immune cell profiling analysis shows that activated dendritic cells and type 2 T helper cells are upregulated, while activated B cells, immature B cells, and monocytes are downregulated in the malaria-infected patients relative to the noninfected individuals. Significantly higher enrichment of activated dendritic cell-related genes and significantly lower enrichment of monocyte-related genes are also observed in the peripheral blood of the severe malaria group than in the mild malaria group.

Conclusion

These results reveal important molecular signatures of host responses to malaria infections, providing some bases for developing malaria control strategies and protective vaccines.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04374-5.

Attenuated humoral responses in HIV infection after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination are linked to global B cell defects and cellular immune profiles

People living with HIV (PLWH) on suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART) can have residual immune dysfunction and often display poorer responses to vaccination. We assessed in a cohort of PLWH (n=110) and HIV negative controls (n=64) the humoral and spike-specific B-cell responses following 1, 2 or 3 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses. PLWH had significantly lower neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers than HIV-negative controls at all studied timepoints. Moreover, their neutralization breadth was reduced with fewer individuals developing a neutralizing response against the Omicron variant (BA.1) relative to controls. We also observed a delayed development of neutralization in PLWH that was underpinned by a reduced frequency of spike-specific memory B cells (MBCs) and pronounced B cell dysfunction. Improved neutralization breadth was seen after the third vaccine dose in PLWH but lower nAb responses persisted and were associated with global, but not spike-specific, MBC dysfunction. In contrast to the inferior antibody responses, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination induced robust T cell responses that cross-recognized variants in PLWH. Strikingly, a subset of PLWH with low or absent neutralization had detectable functional T cell responses. These individuals had reduced numbers of circulating T follicular helper cells and an enriched population of CXCR3 + CD127 + CD8 + T cells after two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, which may compensate for sub-optimal serological responses in the event of infection. Therefore, normalisation of B cell homeostasis could improve serological responses to vaccines in PLWH and evaluating T cell immunity could provide a more comprehensive immune status profile in these individuals and others with B cell imbalances.

The memory B cell response to influenza vaccination is impaired in older persons

Influenza infection imparts an age-related increase in mortality and morbidity. The most effective countermeasure is vaccination; however, vaccines offer modest protection in older adults. To investigate how aging impacts the memory B cell response, we track hemagglutinin-specific B cells by indexed flow sorting and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) in 20 healthy adults that were administered the trivalent influenza vaccine. We demonstrate age-related skewing in the memory B cell compartment 6 weeks after vaccination, with younger adults developing hemagglutinin-specific memory B cells with an FcRL5+ "atypical" phenotype, showing evidence of somatic hypermutation and positive selection, which happened to a lesser extent in older persons. We use publicly available scRNA-seq from paired human lymph node and blood samples to corroborate that FcRL5+ atypical memory B cells can derive from germinal center (GC) precursors. Together, this study shows that the aged human GC reaction and memory B cell response following vaccination is defective.

Characterization of age-associated B cells in early drug-naïve rheumatoid arthritis patients

Age-associated B cells (ABCs) are an immune cell subset linked to autoimmunity, infection and ageing, and whose pathophysiological importance was recently highlighted using single cell synovial tissue profiling. To elucidate their pathophysiological relevance, peripheral blood (PB) ABCs from early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA) patients naïve to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were compared with their synovial fluid (SF) counterparts, and to PB ABCs from psoriatic arthritis patients and healthy controls. PB and SF B-cell subsets were phenotyped by multi-parameter flow cytometry, sorted and subjected to gene expression profiling (NanoString nCounter® Immunology V2 Panel) and functional characterization (stimulated cytokine measurements by immunoassay). PB ABCs of eRA patients, which are transcriptionally distinct from those of control cohorts, express chemokine receptors and adhesion molecules, such as CXCR3, that favour homing to inflammatory sites over lymphoid tissue. These cells are an activated, class-switched B-cell subset expressing high levels of HLA-DR, co-stimulatory molecules and T-bet. Their secretion profile includes IL-12p70 and IL-23 but low levels of IL-10. High surface expression of FcRL family members, including FcRL3, furthermore suggests a role for these cells in autoimmunity. Finally, and unlike in the periphery where they are rare, ABCs are the predominant B-cell subsets in SF. These observations indicate the predilection of ABCs for inflammatory tissue in RA, where their propensity for antigen presentation and pro-inflammatory phenotype may support autoimmune pathology. Their potential as a therapeutic target therefore warrants further study.

Autoantibodies during infectious diseases: Lessons from malaria applied to COVID-19 and other infections

Autoimmunity is a common phenomenon reported in many globally relevant infections, including malaria and COVID-19. These and other highly inflammatory diseases have been associated with the presence of autoantibodies. The role that these autoantibodies play during infection has been an emerging topic of interest. The vast numbers of studies reporting a range of autoantibodies targeting cellular antigens, such as dsDNA and lipids, but also immune molecules, such as cytokines, during malaria, COVID-19 and other infections, underscore the importance that autoimmunity can play during infection. During both malaria and COVID-19, the presence of autoantibodies has been correlated with associated pathologies such as malarial anemia and severe COVID-19. Additionally, high levels of Atypical/Autoimmune B cells (ABCs and atypical B cells) have been observed in both diseases. The growing literature of autoimmune B cells, age-associated B cells and atypical B cells in Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune disorders has identified recent mechanistic and cellular targets that could explain the development of autoantibodies during infection. These new findings establish a link between immune responses during infection and autoimmune disorders, highlighting shared mechanistic insights. In this review, we focus on the recent evidence of autoantibody generation during malaria and other infectious diseases and their potential pathological role, exploring possible mechanisms that may explain the development of autoimmunity during infections.

Autoantibodies elicited with SARS-CoV-2 infection are linked to alterations in double negative B cells

Double negative (DN) B cells (CD27-IgD-) comprise a heterogenous population of DN1, DN2, and the recently described DN3 and DN4 subsets. In autoimmune disease, DN2 cells are reported to be precursors to autoreactive antibody secreting cells and expansion of DN2 cells is linked to elevated interferon levels. Severe SARS-CoV-2 infection is characterized by elevated systemic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and serum autoantibodies and expansion of the DN2 subset in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection has been reported. However, the activation status, functional capacity and contribution to virally-induced autoantibody production by DN subsets is not established. Here, we validate the finding that severe SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with a reduction in the frequency of DN1 cells coinciding with an increase in the frequency of DN2 and DN3 cells. We further demonstrate that with severe viral infection DN subsets are at a heightened level of activation, display changes in immunoglobulin class isotype frequency and have functional BCR signaling. Increases in overall systemic inflammation (CRP), as well as specific pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-6, IFNγ, IL-1β), significantly correlate with the skewing of DN1, DN2 and DN3 subsets during severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Importantly, the reduction in DN1 cell frequency and expansion of the DN3 population during severe infection significantly correlates with increased levels of serum autoantibodies. Thus, systemic inflammation during SARS-CoV-2 infection drives changes in Double Negative subset frequency, likely impacting their contribution to generation of autoreactive antibodies.

The development and function of CD11c+ atypical B cells - insights from single cell analysis

CD11c+ T-bet+ atypical B cells (ABCs) have been identified in the context of vaccination, acute and chronic infections and autoimmune disease. However, the origins and functions of ABCs remain elusive. A major obstacle in the study of ABCs, and human MBCs more generally, has been the use of different phenotypic markers in different contexts to identify what appear to be phenotypically similar cells. Advances in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology have allowed researchers to accurately identify ABCs in different immune contexts such as diseases and tissues. Notably, recent studies utilizing single cell techniques have demonstrated ABCs are a highly conserved memory B cell lineage. This analysis has also revealed that ABCs are more abundant in ostensibly healthy donors than previously thought. Nonetheless, the normal function of these cells remains elusive. In this review, we will focus on scRNA-seq studies to discuss recent advances in our understanding about the development and functions of ABCs.

Low-Dose Subcutaneous or Intravenous Monoclonal Antibody to Prevent Malaria

BACKGROUND

New approaches for the prevention and elimination of malaria, a leading cause of illness and death among infants and young children globally, are needed.

METHODS

We conducted a phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of L9LS, a next-generation antimalarial monoclonal antibody, and its protective efficacy against controlled human malaria infection in healthy adults who had never had malaria or received a vaccine for malaria. The participants received L9LS either intravenously or subcutaneously at a dose of 1 mg, 5 mg, or 20 mg per kilogram of body weight. Within 2 to 6 weeks after the administration of L9LS, both the participants who received L9LS and the control participants underwent controlled human malaria infection in which they were exposed to mosquitoes carrying Plasmodium falciparum (3D7 strain).

RESULTS

No safety concerns were identified. L9LS had an estimated half-life of 56 days, and it had dose linearity, with the highest mean (±SD) maximum serum concentration (C_max) of 914.2±146.5 μg per milliliter observed in participants who had received 20 mg per kilogram intravenously and the lowest mean C_max of 41.5±4.7 μg per milliliter observed in those who had received 1 mg per kilogram intravenously; the mean C_max was 164.8±31.1 in the participants who had received 5 mg per kilogram intravenously and 68.9±22.3 in those who had received 5 mg per kilogram subcutaneously. A total of 17 L9LS recipients and 6 control participants underwent controlled human malaria infection. Of the 17 participants who received a single dose of L9LS, 15 (88%) were protected after controlled human malaria infection. Parasitemia did not develop in any of the participants who received 5 or 20 mg per kilogram of intravenous L9LS. Parasitemia developed in 1 of 5 participants who received 1 mg per kilogram intravenously, 1 of 5 participants who received 5 mg per kilogram subcutaneously, and all 6 control participants through 21 days after the controlled human malaria infection. Protection conferred by L9LS was seen at serum concentrations as low as 9.2 μg per milliliter.

CONCLUSIONS

In this small trial, L9LS administered intravenously or subcutaneously protected recipients against malaria after controlled infection, without evident safety concerns. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; VRC 614 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05019729.).