Related Experiment Videos
Development and maintenance of a B220- memory B cell compartment
D J Driver1, L J McHeyzer-Williams, M Cool
1Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|July 24, 2001
Summary
A novel B220(-) memory B cell subset emerges after initial antigen exposure, not secondary challenge. These cells accumulate mutations and differentiate into plasma cells, representing a unique product of the primary immune response.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- A novel B220(-) memory B cell subset has been identified that dominates secondary immune responses.
- The origin and development of this B220(-) memory B cell compartment remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the B220(-) memory B cell compartment develops as a consequence of secondary antigen challenge or during the primary immune response.
Main Methods:
- Adoptive transfer of B220(+)NP(+) memory B cells.
- Analysis of B cell populations in the spleen at various time points after initial antigen exposure.
- Cell surface phenotyping (GL7, BLA-1, CD24, CD43, CD11b) and in situ analysis.
Main Results:
- B220(-)NP(+) B cells gradually emerge in the spleen, reaching maximal numbers 3 weeks after primary antigen exposure.
- Initially unmutated, B220(-) B cells accumulate affinity-increasing mutations between days 9-14 of the primary response.
- Phenotypic analysis suggests these cells are not localized in germinal centers but are found in the spleen's red pulp.
Conclusions:
- B220(-) memory B cells develop as a unique cellular consequence of primary antigen exposure.
- These cells are distinct products of the germinal center reaction and are maintained long-term in the spleen and bone marrow.