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Related Concept Videos

B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Lineage Commitment01:21

Lineage Commitment

Commitment is the  process whereby stem cells:
Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells01:15

Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells

Common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) are oligopotent cells that can differentiate into granulocytes and macrophages. Granulocytes and macrophages are essential for protecting the body against bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They migrate from the bone marrow into the circulating blood to reach specific tissue sites where they differentiate and help in immune surveillance. However, they survive only for a few days and must be continuously made available to the organism to maintain a robust...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...

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Related Experiment Video

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In Vitro Differentiation Model of Human Normal Memory B Cells to Long-lived Plasma Cells
10:26

In Vitro Differentiation Model of Human Normal Memory B Cells to Long-lived Plasma Cells

Published on: January 20, 2019

The genetic network controlling plasma cell differentiation.

Stephen L Nutt1, Nadine Taubenheim, Jhagvaral Hasbold

  • 1The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria, 3050, Australia.

Seminars in Immunology
|September 20, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mature B cells transform into antibody-secreting plasma cells through immunoglobulin class switch recombination. Understanding the gene regulatory network controlling this B cell differentiation is key to the humoral immune response.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Mature B cells differentiate into antibody-secreting plasma cells, a critical step in the adaptive immune response.
  • This differentiation involves immunoglobulin class switch recombination and is influenced by cell division history.
  • The transition is governed by a complex gene regulatory network involving antagonistic transcription factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review progress in understanding the transcriptional and cellular events during late B cell differentiation.
  • To integrate these approaches to define a regulatory network for B cell to plasma cell transition.
  • To highlight the stochastic nature and complexity of the humoral immune response.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on B cell differentiation and gene regulation.
  • Analysis of transcription factor networks (Pax5, Bach2, Bcl6, Irf4, Blimp1, Xbp1).
  • Integration of quantitative data on stochastic cellular processes.

Main Results:

  • B cell populations exhibit predictable behavior despite stochastic differentiation processes.
  • Antagonistic transcription factors maintain distinct B cell and plasma cell states.
  • Key factors include Pax5, Bach2, Bcl6 for B cell program and Irf4, Blimp1, Xbp1 for plasma cell differentiation.

Conclusions:

  • Integrating transcriptional and cellular events is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of B cell differentiation.
  • The gene regulatory network governing this transition must account for stochasticity and complexity.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the regulatory network controlling the humoral immune response.