Memory B cell and antibody responses to flavivirus infection and vaccination

Abstract

Flaviviruses are a group of mosquito- or tick-borne single-stranded RNA viruses that can cause a wide range of clinical manifestations in humans and animals, including asymptomatic, flu-like febrile illness, hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, birth defects, and death. Many of them have no licensed vaccines available for human use. Memory B cell development and induction of neutralizing antibody responses, which are important for the control of flavivirus infection and dissemination, have been used as biomarkers for vaccine efficacy. In this review, we will discuss recent findings on memory B cells and antibody responses from studies in clinical specimen and animal models of flavivirus infection and vaccination with a focus on several clinically important flaviviruses, including dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, and Zika viruses.

Figure 1.. B cell responses following primary and secondary dengue virus (DENV) infections.

A: During primary DENV infection, virus-specific naïve B cells are activated and differentiate into antibody-secreting long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) and memory B cells (MBCs). B: During secondary infection with a different serotype DENV, MBCs are activated, produce cross-reactive antibodies with high avidity, and are expanded. New cross-reactive MBCs and LLPCs are also generated.