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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
14:06
Isolation of Precursor B-cell Subsets from Umbilical Cord Blood
Published on: April 16, 2013
Naive recirculating B cells mature simultaneously in the spleen and bone marrow
Annaiah Cariappa1, Catharine Chase, Haoyuan Liu
1Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA.
Blood
|November 23, 2006
Summary
Newly formed B cells mature into IgD(hi) B cells in both the spleen and bone marrow. This suggests that the bone marrow is a site where humoral immune responses can be initiated.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- B cell maturation traditionally occurs in the spleen.
- IgD(hi) B cells are known to reside in follicular niches in lymphoid organs.
- A perisinusoidal niche for IgD(hi) B cells in the bone marrow has recently been identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate B cell maturation in the bone marrow.
- To determine if the bone marrow serves as a site for B cell maturation alongside the spleen.
- To explore the capacity for in situ humoral immune responses within the bone marrow.
Main Methods:
- Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse-chase labeling in mice.
- Analysis of transitional B cells in splenectomized lymphotoxin alpha-deficient mice.
- Assessment of antibody-secreting cells following microbial challenge.
Main Results:
- Sequential BrdU labeling indicated ongoing B cell maturation within the bone marrow.
- Transitional B cell analysis in mice lacking secondary lymphoid organs supported bone marrow maturation.
- Antibody-secreting cells were detected in the bone marrow after microbial challenge, indicating functional immune responses.
Conclusions:
- Newly formed B cells mature into IgD(hi) B cells concurrently in both the spleen and bone marrow.
- The bone marrow is established as a site for B cell maturation and initiation of humoral immune responses in situ.
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