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Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Proliferation and Differentiation of Murine Myeloid Precursor 32D/G-CSF-R Cells
Published on: February 21, 2018
Plasma cell differentiation requires the transcription factor XBP-1
A M Reimold1, N N Iwakoshi, J Manis
1Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
The transcription factor XBP-1 is essential for the development of antibody-secreting plasma cells. Without XBP-1, B cells cannot differentiate, leading to impaired immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Early B-lymphocyte lineage specification involves known transcription factors.
- Factors regulating the transition from mature B cells to antibody-secreting plasma cells are largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify transcription factors controlling B-cell to plasma-cell differentiation.
- To investigate the role of XBP-1 in plasma cell generation.
Main Methods:
- In vitro stimulation of B-lineage cells.
- Analysis of XBP-1 transcript levels in differentiating cells and rheumatoid synovium plasma cells.
- Generation and analysis of XBP-1 deficient mouse lymphoid chimaeras.
- Assessment of immunoglobulin secretion and viral infection control.
Main Results:
- XBP-1 transcripts rapidly increase with stimuli inducing plasma-cell differentiation.
- High XBP-1 levels are found in plasma cells from rheumatoid synovium.
- Introduction of XBP-1 into B-lineage cells initiates plasma-cell differentiation.
- XBP-1 deficient chimaeras have normal B cells but lack plasma cells, leading to low immunoglobulin secretion and susceptibility to polyoma virus infection.
Conclusions:
- The transcription factor XBP-1 is indispensable for plasma cell generation.
- XBP-1 is selectively required for the terminal differentiation of B lymphocytes into plasma cells.
- This study identifies XBP-1 as a key regulator of humoral immunity.
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