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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Homing of Hematopoietic Cells to the Bone Marrow
Published on: March 18, 2009
Homing of antibody secreting cells
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0414, USA. cyster@itsa.ucsf.edu
Abstract:
As activated B cells differentiate into plasma cells they complete a final series of migration steps that take them to locations where they can efficiently carry out their effector function, secreting immunoglobulin (Ig) M or IgG into circulation or releasing dimeric IgA adjacent to the epithelium for transcytosis. Recent experiments have established a key role for chemokines in directing antibody secreting cell (ASC) movement within the secondary lymphoid organs where they are generated, as well as in guiding the cells to the bone marrow or mucosal surfaces. This review discusses the chemokines involved in directing ASC movements, particularly focusing on the role of CXCR4 and CXCL12/SDF1. The function of CCR9 and CCR10 in IgA ASC homing and contributions made by integrins and lectins are also discussed.
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