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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

In Vitro Differentiation Model of Human Normal Memory B Cells to Long-lived Plasma Cells
Published on: January 20, 2019
BLyS and B cell homeostasis
Robert T Woodland1, Madelyn R Schmidt, Craig B Thompson
1Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiolgy, Immunology and Virology Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA. Robert.Woodland@umassmed.edu
Abstract:
Naïve peripheral B cells survive in vivo because of active stimulation by the TNF superfamily ligand B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS/BAFF). Although the survival promoting properties of BLyS are well known, the signal pathways and molecular effectors that characterize this stimulation are still being elucidated. In this communication, we discuss the signal cascades that effect BLyS dependent survival and the regulation of BLyS induced signaling. We also examine the role of BLyS as a growth factor and propose that BLyS induced metabolic enhancement optimizes the B cell response to BCR and TLR-dependent signaling.
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