ABOVE: Even in the absence of T cells, mice have antibody-producing plasma cells (green) in the walls of their intestines.
GRASSET ET AL., SCI IMMUNOL, 5:EAAT7117, 2020
In the gut wall, activated B cells (also known as plasma cells) are continuously making antibodies against intestinal microbes. They do this with and without the help of T cells and, while much is understood about the T cell–dependent antibody production pathway, how the T cell–independent process is regulated was unclear. Now, researchers have discovered a master controller of T cell–independent antibody production, reporting the finding in Science Immunology today (July 31). However, the role of these antibodies in regulating the gut microbiome or host health remains elusive.
“It's an elegant scientific observation. They nailed the pathway . . . [and] their conclusions are pretty firm,” says clinical immunologist Balfour Sartor of the University of North Carolina who was not involved in the research ...
