Long-term maternal imprinting of the specific B cell repertoire by maternal antibodies

Maternal antibodies protect newborns whilst they are immunologically immature. This study shows that maternal antibodies can also shape the B cell repertoire of the offspring long after the maternal antibodies themselves become undetectable. V(H)DJ(H) gene-targeted (VI10) mice expressing a heavy chain specific for vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) produce a 20-fold increased spontaneous titer of VSV-neutralizing antibodies. When transferred from mother to offspring, these antibodies prevented accumulation of Ag-specific transitional type 2 and marginal zone B cells with an activated phenotype and favored selection to the B cell follicles. This effect was B cell-intrinsic and lasted up to adulthood. The pups nursed by mothers producing specific antibodies developed higher endogenous antibody titers of this specificity which perpetuated the effects of specific B cell selection into the mature follicular compartment, presumably by blocking auto-Ag-dependent development of transitional type 2 B cells in the spleen. This repertoire change was functional, as following infection of adult mice with VSV, those pups that had received specific maternal antibodies as neonates had increased pre-immune titers and mounted strong early IgG neutralizing antibodies.

β1-Class Integrins Regulate the Development of Laminae and Folia in the Cerebral and Cerebellar Cortex

Mice that lack all beta1-class integrins in neurons and glia die prematurely after birth with severe brain malformations. Cortical hemispheres and cerebellar folia fuse, and cortical laminae are perturbed. These defects result from disorganization of the cortical marginal zone, where beta1-class integrins regulate glial endfeet anchorage, meningeal basement membrane remodeling, and formation of the Cajal-Retzius cell layer. Surprisingly, beta1-class integrins are not essential for neuron-glia interactions and neuronal migration during corticogenesis. The phenotype of the beta1-deficient mice resembles pathological changes observed in human cortical dysplasias, suggesting that defective integrin-mediated signal transduction contributes to the development of some of these diseases.

BCL2 mutation spectrum in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas and patterns associated with evolution of follicular lymphoma

BCL2 is a target of somatic hypermutation in t(14;18) positive and also in a small fraction of t(14;18) negative diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), suggesting an aberrant role of somatic hypermutation (ASHM). To elucidate the prevalence of BCL2 mutations in lymphomas other than DLBCL, we Sanger-sequenced the hypermutable region of the BCL2 gene in a panel of 69 mature B-cell lymphomas, including Richter's syndrome DLBCL, marginal-zone lymphomas, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, HIV-associated and common-variable immunodeficiency-associated DLBCL, all known to harbour ASHM-dependent mutations in other genes, as well as 16 t(14,18) negative and 21 t(14;18) positive follicular lymphomas (FLs). We also investigated the pattern of BCL2 mutations in longitudinal samples from 10 FL patients relapsing to FL or transforming to DLBCL (tFL). By direct sequencing, we found clonally represented BCL2 mutations in 2/16 (13%) of t(14;18) negative FLs, 2/16 (13%) HIV-DLBCLs, 1/9 (11%) of Richter's syndrome DLBCL, 1/17 (6%) of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders and 1/2 (50%) common-variable immunodeficiency-associated DLBCL. The proportion of mutated cases was significantly lower than in FLs carrying the t(14;18) translocation (15/21, 71%). However, the absence of t(14;18) by FISH or PCR and the molecular features of the mutations strongly suggest that BCL2 represents an additional target of ASHM in these entities. Analysis of the BCL2 mutation pattern in clonally related FL/FL and FL/tFL samples revealed two distinct scenarios of genomic evolution: (i) direct evolution from the antecedent FL clone, with few novel clonal mutations acquired by the tFL major clone, and (ii) evolution from a common mutated long-lived progenitor cell, which subsequently acquired distinct mutations in the FL and in the relapsed or transformed counterpart. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Deficiency of MALT1 paracaspase activity results in unbalanced regulatory and effector T and B cell responses leading to multiorgan inflammation

The paracaspase MALT1 plays an important role in immune receptor-driven signaling pathways leading to NF-κB activation. MALT1 promotes signaling by acting as a scaffold, recruiting downstream signaling proteins, as well as by proteolytic cleavage of multiple substrates. However, the relative contributions of these two different activities to T and B cell function are not well understood. To investigate how MALT1 proteolytic activity contributes to overall immune cell regulation, we generated MALT1 protease-deficient mice (Malt1(PD/PD)) and compared their phenotype with that of MALT1 knockout animals (Malt1(-/-)). Malt1(PD/PD) mice displayed defects in multiple cell types including marginal zone B cells, B1 B cells, IL-10-producing B cells, regulatory T cells, and mature T and B cells. In general, immune defects were more pronounced in Malt1(-/-) animals. Both mouse lines showed abrogated B cell responses upon immunization with T-dependent and T-independent Ags. In vitro, inactivation of MALT1 protease activity caused reduced stimulation-induced T cell proliferation, impaired IL-2 and TNF-α production, as well as defective Th17 differentiation. Consequently, Malt1(PD/PD) mice were protected in a Th17-dependent experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model. Surprisingly, Malt1(PD/PD) animals developed a multiorgan inflammatory pathology, characterized by Th1 and Th2/0 responses and enhanced IgG1 and IgE levels, which was delayed by wild-type regulatory T cell reconstitution. We therefore propose that the pathology characterizing Malt1(PD/PD) animals arises from an immune imbalance featuring pathogenic Th1- and Th2/0-skewed effector responses and reduced immunosuppressive compartments. These data uncover a previously unappreciated key function of MALT1 protease activity in immune homeostasis and underline its relevance in human health and disease.

PIM KINASE INHIBITION: SINGLE AGENT AND COMBINATION APPROACHES IN B-CELL LYMPHOMA

Proviral integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus (Pim) kinases are Ser/Thr/Tyr kinases. They modulate B-cell development but become oncoproteins and promote cancer development once overexpressed. Containing three isoforms, Pim-1, -2 and -3 are known to phosphorylate various substrates that regulate transcription, translation, cell cycle, and survival pathways in both hematological and solid tumors. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Elevated Pim kinase levels are common in MCL, and it negatively correlates with patient outcome. SGI-1776 is a small molecule inhibitor selective for Pim-1/-3. We hypothesize that SGI-1776 treatment in MCL will inhibit Pim kinase function, and inhibition of downstream substrates phosphorylation will disrupt transcriptional, translational, and cell cycle processes while promoting apoptosis. SGI-1776 treatment induced moderate to high levels of apoptosis in four MCL cell lines (JeKo-1, Mino, SP-53 and Granta-519) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from MCL patients. Phosphorylation of transcription and translation regulators, c-Myc and 4E-BP1 declined in both model systems. Additionally, levels of short-lived Mcl-1 mRNA and protein also decreased and correlated with decline of global RNA synthesis. Collectively, our investigations highlight Pim kinases as viable drug targets in MCL and emphasize their roles in transcriptional and translational regulation. We further investigated a combination strategy using SGI-1776 with bendamustine, an FDA-approved DNA-damaging alkylating agent for treating non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We hypothesized this combination will enhance SGI-1776-induced transcription and translation inhibition, while promoting bendamustine-triggered DNA damage and inducing additive to synergistic cytotoxicity in B-cell lymphoma. Bendamustine alone resulted in moderate levels of apoptosis induction in MCL cell lines (JeKo-1 and Mino), and in MCL and splenic marginal zone lymphoma (a type of B-cell lymphoma) primary cells. An additive effect in cell killing was observed when combined with SGI-1776. Expectedly, SGI-1776 effectively decreased global RNA and protein synthesis levels, while bendamustine significantly inhibited DNA synthesis and generated DNA damage response. In combination, intensified inhibitory effects in DNA, RNA and protein syntheses were observed. Together, these data suggested feasibility of using Pim kinase inhibitor in combination with chemotherapeutic agents such as bendamustine in B-cell lymphoma, and provided foundation of their mechanism of actions in lymphoma cells.

Description of sampling sites in Northern Russia

The youngest ice marginal zone between the White Sea and the Ural mountains is the W-E trending belt of moraines called the Varsh-Indiga-Markhida-Harbei-Halmer-Sopkay, here called the Markhida line. Glacial elements show that it was deposited by the Kara Ice Sheet, and in the west, by the Barents Ice Sheet. The Markhida moraine overlies Eemian marine sediments, and is therefore of Weichselian age. Distal to the moraine are Eemian marine sediments and three Palaeolithic sites with many C-14 dates in the range 16-37 ka not covered by till, proving that it represents the maximum ice sheet extension during the Weichselian. The Late Weichselian ice limit of M. G. Grosswald is about 400 km (near the Urals more than 700 km) too far south. Shorelines of ice dammed Lake Komi, probably dammed by the ice sheet ending at the Markhida line, predate 37 ka. We conclude that the Markhida line is of Middle/Early Weichselian age, implying that no ice sheet reached this part of Northern Russia during the Late Weichselian. This age is supported by a series of C-14 and OSL dates inside the Markhida line all of >45 ka. Two moraine loops protrude south of the Markhida line; the Laya-Adzva and Rogavaya moraines. These moraines are covered by Lake Komi sediments, and many C-14 dates on mammoth bones inside the moraines are 26-37 ka. The morphology indicates that the moraines are of Weichselian age, but a Saalian age cannot be excluded. No post-glacial emerged marine shorelines are found along the Barents Sea coast north of the Markhida line.

Xenopus Kielin: A dorsalizing factor containing multiple chordin-type repeats secreted from the embryonic midline

The midline tissues are important inductive centers of early vertebrate embryos. By signal peptide selection screening, we isolated a secreted factor, Kielin, which contains multiple cys-rich repeats similar to those in chordin (Chd). Expression of Kielin starts at midgastrula stages in the notochord and is detected in the floor plate of neurula embryos. Kielin is induced in mesoderm and in ectoderm by nodal-related genes. Chd is sufficient to activate Kielin expression in mesoderm whereas Shh or HNF-3β in addition to Chd is required for induction in ectoderm. Kielin has a distinct biological activity from that of Chd. Injection of Kielin mRNA causes dorsalization of ventral marginal zone explants and expansion of MyoD expression in neurula embryos. Unlike Chd, Kielin does not efficiently induce neural differentiation of animal cap ectoderm, suggesting that the activity of Kielin is not simply caused by BMP4 blockade. Kielin is a signaling molecule that mediates inductive activities of the embryonic midline.

A novel homeobox gene PV.1 mediates induction of ventral mesoderm in Xenopus embryos.

The formation of ventral mesoderm has been traditionally viewed as a result of a lack of dorsal signaling and therefore assumed to be a default state of mesodermal development. The discovery that bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) can induce ventral mesoderm led to the suggestion that the induction of the ventral mesoderm requires a different signaling pathway than the induction of the dorsal mesoderm. However, the individual components of this pathway remained largely unknown. Here we report the identification of a novel Xenopus homeobox gene PV.1 (posterior-ventral 1) that is capable of mediating induction of ventral mesoderm. This gene is activated in blastula stage Xenopus embryos, its expression peaks during gastrulation and declines rapidly after neurulation is complete. PV.1 is expressed in the ventral marginal zone of blastulae and later in the posterior ventral area of gastrulae and neurulae. PV.1 is inducible in uncommited ectoderm by the ventralizing growth factor BMP4 and counteracts the dorsalizing effects of the dominant negative BMP4 receptor. Overexpression of PV.1 yields ventralized tadpoles and rescues embryos partially dorsalized by LiCl treatment. In animal caps, PV.1 ventralizes induction by activin and inhibits expression of dorsal specific genes. All of these effects mimic those previously reported for BMP4. These observations suggest that PV.1 is a critical component in the formation of ventral mesoderm and possibly mediates the effects of BMP4.

Trafficking of Plasmodium chabaudi adami-infected erythrocytes within the mouse spleen.

Plasmodium chabaudi adami causes a nonlethal infection in mice. We found that crisis, the time of rapidly dropping parasitemia, was abrogated by splenectomy, indicating the role of spleen in parasite killing. The factors that mediate spleen-dependent immunity are not known. An earlier study in Plasmodium berghei-infected rats showed an association between increased clearance of heat-treated erythrocytes and the onset of crisis [Wyler, D. J., Quinn, T. C. & Chen, L.-T. (1982) J. Clin. Invest. 67, 1400-1404]. To determine the potential effects of different vascular beds in parasite killing, we studied the distribution of parasitized erythrocytes and bacteria in the spleens of P. chabaudi adami-infected mice during precrisis (a period of rising parasitemia) and during crisis. After intravenous injection, bacteria were localized predominantly in the marginal zone. In contrast, parasitized erythrocytes were found in the red pulp. We also found that during precrisis, a time of no immunity, the uptake of radiolabeled infected erythrocytes by the spleen was increased, not decreased. These data imply that no change occurs in the flow of parasitized erythrocytes through the spleen during the transition to an immune state (crisis). Our observations suggest that immune effector mechanisms, not circulatory changes, account for spleen-dependent parasite killing during a P. chabaudi adami infection in mice.

Competition between noggin and bone morphogenetic protein 4 activities may regulate dorsalization during Xenopus development.

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4) induces ventral mesoderm but represses dorsal mesoderm formation in Xenopus embryos. We show that BMP-4 inhibits two signaling pathways regulating dorsal mesoderm formation, the induction of dorsal mesoderm (Spemann organizer) and the dorsalization of ventral mesoderm. Ectopic expression of BMP-4 RNA reduces goosecoid and forkhead-1 transcription in whole embryos and in activin-treated animal cap explants. Embryos and animal caps overexpressing BMP-4 transcribe high levels of genes expressed in ventral mesoderm (Xbra, Xwnt-8, Xpo, Mix.1, XMyoD). The Spemann organizer is ventralized in these embryos; abnormally high levels of Xwnt-8 mRNA and low levels of goosecoid mRNA are detected in the organizer. In addition, the organizer loses the ability to dorsalize neighboring ventral marginal zone to muscle. Overexpression of BMP-4 in ventral mesoderm inhibits its response to dorsalization signals. Ventral marginal zone explants ectopically expressing BMP-4 form less muscle when treated with soluble noggin protein or when juxtaposed to a normal Spemann organizer in comparison to control explants. Endogenous BMP-4 transcripts are downregulated in ventral marginal zone explants dorsalized by noggin, in contrast to untreated explants. Thus, while BMP-4 inhibits noggin protein activity, noggin downregulates BMP-4 expression by dorsalizing ventral marginal zone to muscle. Noggin and BMP-4 activities may control the lateral extent of dorsalization within the marginal zone. Competition between these two molecules may determine the final degree of muscle formation in the marginal zone, thus defining the border between dorsolateral and ventral mesoderm.

Étude de la migration des populations de lymphocytes B du sang de patients infectés par le virus d’immunodéficience humaine (VIH)

La dérégulation du compartiment de cellules B est une conséquence importante de l’infection par le virus de l’immunodéficience humaine (VIH-1). On observe notamment une diminution des nombres de lymphocytes B sanguins ainsi qu’une variation des fréquences relatives des différentes populations de lymphocytes B chez les individus infectés par rapport aux contrôles sains. Notre laboratoire a précédemment démontré l’implication des cellules dendritiques dans la dérégulation des lymphocytes B via la roduction excessive de BLyS/BAFF, un stimulateur des cellules B. De plus, lors l’études menées chez la souris transgénique présentant une maladie semblable au SIDA, et chez la souris BLyS/BAFF transgénique, l’infection au VIH-1 fut associée à une expansion de la zone marginale (MZ) de la rate. De façon intéressante, nous observons chez les contrôleurs élites une diminution de la population B ‘mature’ de la MZ. Il s’agit du seul changement important chez les contrôleurs élites et reflète possiblement un recrutement de ces cellules vers la périphérie ainsi qu’une implication dans des mécanismes de contrôle de l’infection. Pour tenter d’expliquer et de mieux comprendre ces variations dans les fréquences des populations B, nous avons analysé les axes chimiotactiques CXCL13-CXCR5, CXCL12-CXCR4/CXCR7, CCL20-CCR6 et CCL25-CCR9. L’étude longitudinale de cohortes de patients avec différents types de progression clinique ou de contrôle de l’infection démontre une modulation des niveaux plasmatiques de la majorité des chimiokines analysées chez les progresseurs rapides et classiques. Au contraire, les contrôleurs élites conservent des niveaux normaux de chimiokines, démontrant leur capacité à maintenir l’homéostasie. La migration des populations de cellules B semble être modulée selon la progression ou le contrôle de l’infection. Les contrôleurs élites présentent une diminution de la population B ‘mature’ de la MZ et une augmentation de la fréquence d’expression du récepteur CXCR7 associé à la MZ chez la souris, suggérant un rôle important des cellules de la MZ dans le contrôle de l’infection au VIH-1. De façon générale, les résultats dans cette étude viennent enrichir nos connaissances du compartiment de cellules B dans le contexte de l’infection au VIH-1 et pourront contribuer à élaborer des stratégies préventives et thérapeutiques contre ce virus.

Geochemistry of late Archaean stromatolites from Zimbabwe: evidence for microbial life in restricted epicontinental seas

We report comprehensive trace element and Sr-isotope data for microbial carbonates from the Archaean Mushandike limestone, Masvingo Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe. The stromatolites have very coherent REE + Y patterns and share the essential shale-normalised characteristics of other Archaean marine precipitates (positive La and Gd anomalies, absence of a negative Cc anomaly and a strongly superchondritic Y/Ho ratio). Mixing models constrain the maximum amount of shale contamination to 0.25-1% and calculated detritus-free carbonate REE + Y systematics require precipitation from seawater. In terms of light-REE over heavy-REE depletion, however, the studied samples are very different from all other known Archaean marine precipitates. In shale-normalised plots, the Mushandike samples yield a negative slope. A very restricted, regional input source of the dissolved load is indicated because normalisation with locally occurring tonalite gneiss REE + Y data yields a pattern closely resembling typical shale-normalised Archaean marine chemical sediments. The disappearance of a negative Eu anomaly when patterns are normalised with local tonalite gneiss strengthens this interpretation. Sr-isotope ratios are strongly correlated with trace element contents and ratios, which explains the modest scatter in Sr-isotope ratios as representing (minor) clastic contamination. Importantly, even the least contaminated samples have very radiogenic initial Sr-87/Sr-86 ratios (0.7184) implying Sr input from an ancient high Rb/Sr source, such as the early Archaean gneisses of south-central Zimbabwe. A local ancient (3.5-3.8 Ga) source is also indicated by previously published Pb-isotope datasets for the Mushandike stromatolites. This is entirely compatible with the occurrence of 3.7-3.8 Ga zircons in quartzites and metapelites from comparably old greenstone belts within less than 150 km of the studied locality. Comparison of the Pb-isotope ratios of the Mushandike stromatolites with 2.7 and 2.6 Ga old stromatolites from the neighbouring, Belingwe Greenstone Belt demonstrates differences in initial isotope composition that relate to the extent of exchange with the open ocean. The development of numerous basins on old continental crust, with water masses variably restricted from the open ocean. suggests a lack of strong vertical topography on this late Archaean craton. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Macrophages and lymphocyte responiveness to mitogen

Purified B-cells fail to proliferate in response to the strong thymus-independent (TI) antigen Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the absence of macrophages (Corbel and Melchers, 1983). The fact that macrophages, or factors derived from them are required is supported by the inability of marginal zone B-cells in infants to respond to highly virulent strains of bacteria such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Timens, 1989). This may be due to the lack of CD21 expression on B-cells in infants which could associate with its co-receptor (C3d) on adjacent macrophages. It is not clear whether cell surface contacts and/or soluble products are involved in lymphocyte-macrophage interactions in response to certain antigens. This thesis describes the importance of the macrophage in lymphocyte responses to T-dependent (TD) and TI antigens. The major findings of this thesis were as follows: (1). Macrophages were essential for a full proliferative response to a range of T - and B-cell mitogens and TI-1 and TI-2 antigens, including Concanavalin A, LPS, Pokeweed mitogen (PWM), Dextran sulphate, Phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) and Poly[I][C]. (2). A ratio of 1 macrophage to 1000 lymphocytes was sufficient for the mitogens to exert their effects. (3). The optimal conditions were established for the activation of an oxidative burst in cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage as measured by luminometry. The order of ability was OpZ >PMA/lonomycin >f-MLP >Con A >DS >PHA >Poly[I][C] >LPS >PWM. Responses were only substantial and protracted with OpZ and PMA. Peritoneal macrophages were the most responsive cells, whereas splenic and alveolar macrophages were significantly less active and no response could be elicited with Kupffer cells, thus demonstrating heterogeneity between macrophages. (4). Activated macrophages that were then fixed with paraformaldehyde were unable to restore mitogenic responsiveness, even with a ratio of 1 macrophage to 5 lymphocytes. (5). Although highly purified T- and B-cells could respond to mitogen provided live macrophages were present, maximum activation was only observed when all 3 cell types were present. (6). Supernatants from purified macrophage cultures treated with a range of activators were able to partially restore lymphocyte responses to mitogen in macrophage-depleted splenocyte cultures, and purified T - and B-cell cultures. In fact supernatants from macrophages treated with LPS for only 30 minutes could restore responsiveness. Supernatants from OpZ treated macrophages were without effect. (7). Macrophage supernatants could not induce proliferation in the absence of mitogen. They therefore provide a co-mitogenic signal required by lymphocytes in order to respond to mitogen. (8). Macrophage product profiles revealed that LPS and Con A-treated macrophage supernatants showed elevated levels of IL-1β, TNF -α L TB4 and TXB2. These products were therefore good candidates as the co-mitogenic factor. The possible inhibitory factors secreted by OpZ-treated macrophages were PGE2, IL-10 and NO. (9). The removal of cytokines, eicosanoids and TNF-α from LPS-treated macrophage supernatants using Cycloheximide, Dexamethasone and an MMPI respectively, resulted in the inability of these supernatants to restore macrophage-depleted lymphocyte responses to mitogen. (10). rIL-1β and rTNF-α are co-mitogenic factors, as macrophage-depleted lymphocytes incubated with rIL-1β and rTNF-α can respond to mitogen.

Cutaneous primary B-cell lymphomas: from diagnosis to treatment

Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of mature B-cells neoplasms with tropism for the skin, whose biology and clinical course differ significantly from the equivalent nodal lymphomas. The most indolent forms comprise the primary cutaneous marginal zone and follicle center B-cell lymphomas that despite the excellent prognosis have cutaneous recurrences very commonly. The most aggressive forms include the primary cutaneous large B-cell lymphomas, consisting in two major groups: the leg type, with poor prognosis, and others, the latter representing a heterogeneous group of lymphomas from which specific entities are supposed to be individualized over time, such as intravascular large B-cell lymphomas. Treatment may include surgical excision, radiotherapy, antibiotics, corticosteroids, interferon, monoclonal antibodies and chemotherapy, depending on the type of lymphoma and on the type and location of the skin lesions. In subtypes with good prognosis is contraindicated overtreatment and in those associated with a worse prognosis the recommended therapy relies on CHOP-like regimens associated with rituximab, assisted or not with local radiotherapy. We review the primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas, remembering the diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, classification, and prognostic factors and presenting the available therapies.

Étude du niveau de B Lymphocyte Stimulator (BLyS) et de son impact sur les lymphocytes B en relation avec l’infection et la résistance au virus d’immunodéficience humaine (VIH) chez des travailleuses du sexe au Bénin

L’infection au VIH s’accompagne souvent de dérégulations du compartiment des lymphocytes B qui nuisent à la génération de réponses efficaces. En effet, détectées tôt après l’infection, ces dérégulations perdurent, ne sont pas totalement restaurées par la thérapie, et mènent souvent à des manifestations auto-immunes et lymphomes. Une étude longitudinale de notre groupe, effectuée avec des cellules mononucléées du sang circulant provenant de patients VIH+ avec différents types de progression clinique, a démontré qu’un niveau élevé de BLyS chez des individus VIH+ progresseurs était associé à une dérégulation des fréquences de populations de cellules B avec augmentation de cellules innées de la zone marginale (MZ) présentant des caractéristiques d’immaturité et d’activation. Au contraire, chez des individus VIH+ non-progresseurs avirémiques ou contrôleurs d’élite, les niveaux de BLyS étaient dans la normale et ce sont les fréquences de cellules B MZ plus matures qui étaient diminuées. La résistance au VIH pourrait aussi impliquer le contrôle de BLyS et son impact sur les cellules B. De ce fait, nous avons préalablement recruté une cohorte de travailleuses du sexe (TS) à Cotonou (Bénin) dans laquelle nous avons identifié des femmes qui demeurent séronégatives malgré une exposition soutenue au virus. Nous avons mesuré les niveaux de BLyS dans le sang et dans les lavages cervico-vaginaux (CVL) de TS VIH- et les avons comparés à ceux mesurés chez des TS VIH+ et un groupe contrôle de non-TS VIH- . Nous avons trouvé que les niveaux de BLyS dans le sang et le CVL des TS VIH- étaient inférieurs à ceux des TS VIH+ et des non-TS VIH-. Le niveau d’expression de BLyS à la surface des lymphocytes T, monocytes et cellules dendritiques de TS VIH- était augmenté, mais à un niveau moindre que les TS VIH+. Chez les TS VIH+, les hauts niveaux de BLyS étaient concomitants avec une dérégulation du compartiment B caractérisée par une hyperglobulinémie, une augmentation de la fréquence de populations avec un profil immature/inné et une plus grande proportion de plasmablastes IgG vs IgA. Au contraire, les niveaux inférieurs de BLyS dans le sang des TS VIH- coïncident avec un compartiment B préservé, révélant que les lymphocytes B MZ peuvent être impliqués dans l’immunité naturelle au VIH. Ces résultats démontrent l’importance du contrôle des niveaux de BLyS et du maintien de l’intégrité du compartiment B dans la résistance au VIH.