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Selective killing of hepatitis B envelope antigen-specific B cells by class I-restricted, exogenous antigen-specific T lymphocytes

Nature volume 345, pages 258–260 (1990)Cite this article

Abstract

SPECIFIC B lymphocytes can act as very efficient antigen-presenting cells. They bind antigen with high affinity via their immunoglobulin receptors, process it through the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) pathway, and present its fragments to class II-restricted T lymphocytes1. In general, exogenous antigens and noninfectious viral particles enter the class II pathway and are selectively associated with class II MHC molecules2–4. The presentation of an exogenous antigen in association with class I molecules has been reported for only a few antigens, including the hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBenvAg)5–8. Here we demonstrate that antigen-specific B cells can efficiently deliver HBenvAg to the class I pathway, presenting its fragments to class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) which kill the specific B cells. This could represent a mechanism of suppression of neutralizing anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) antibody response, a phenomenon that accompanies the development of the chronic HBV-carrier state.

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Author notes

  1. Alfredo Alberti: II Clinica Medica, Istituto di Medicina Clinica, via Giustiniani 2, 35126 Padova, Italy

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fondazione 'Andrea Cesalpino', I Clinica Medica, Policlinico 'Umberto I', Università 'La Sapienza', 00161, Roma, Italy

    Vincenzo Barnaba, Alessandra Franco, Alfredo Alberti, Rosalba Benvenuto & Francesco Balsano

Authors
  1. Vincenzo Barnaba
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  2. Alessandra Franco
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  3. Alfredo Alberti
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  4. Rosalba Benvenuto
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  5. Francesco Balsano
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Barnaba, V., Franco, A., Alberti, A. et al. Selective killing of hepatitis B envelope antigen-specific B cells by class I-restricted, exogenous antigen-specific T lymphocytes. Nature 345, 258–260 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/345258a0

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