What do we know about the role of regulatory B cells (Breg) during the course of infection of two major parasitic diseases, malaria and leishmaniasis?

Abstract

Parasitic diseases, such as malaria and leishmaniasis, are relevant public health problems worldwide. For both diseases, the alarming number of clinical cases and deaths reported annually has justified the incentives directed to better understanding of host's factors associated with susceptibility to infection or protection. In this context, over recent years, some studies have given special attention to B lymphocytes with a regulator phenotype, known as Breg cells. Essentially important in the maintenance of immunological tolerance, especially in autoimmune disease models such as rheumatoid arthritis and experimentally induced autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the function of these lymphocytes has so far been poorly explored during the course of diseases caused by parasites. As the activation of Breg cells has been proposed as a possible therapeutic or vaccine strategy against several diseases, here we reviewed studies focused on understanding the relation of parasite and Breg cells in malaria and leishmaniasis, and the possible implications of these strategies in the course of both infections.

Keywords: B regulatory cells; cytokines; immunity; immunological tolerance; immunomodulation; leishmaniasis; malaria; protozoan infections.

Figure 1.

Phenotypic profile of Breg cells described in autoimmune, viral/bacterial, parasitic diseases and cancer.