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Memory B cells express a phenotype consistent with migratory competence after secondary but not short-term primary
G Kraal1, I L Weissman, E C Butcher
1Department of Histology, Medical Faculty, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Cellular Immunology
|August 1, 1988
Summary
Early memory B cells are sessile germinal center cells (PNAhi, MEL-14-). With time and secondary exposure, memory B cells (B cells) become migratory (MEL-14hi, PNAlo), re-entering circulation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Memory B cells are crucial for rapid and robust secondary immune responses.
- Understanding the migratory properties of memory B cells is key to deciphering their localization and function within lymphoid tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cell surface phenotype and migratory characteristics of dinitrophenol (DNP)-specific memory B cells following primary and secondary immunization.
- To determine the relationship between germinal center B cells and memory B cell populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized peanut agglutinin (PNA) and MEL-14 antibody staining to phenotype lymph node B cells.
- Employed fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate specific B cell populations.
- Assessed memory B cell function via adoptive transfer assays into syngeneic irradiated recipients.
Main Results:
- One week post-immunization, memory B cells were predominantly PNAhi and MEL-14-, characteristic of sessile germinal center cells.
- Six weeks post-primary stimulation, the majority of memory B cells shifted to a MEL-14hi phenotype, indicating acquisition of migratory capacity.
- Following secondary immunization, memory B cells were mainly MEL-14+ and PNAlo, suggesting a recirculating phenotype.
Conclusions:
- Antigen-specific B cells initially differentiate and proliferate locally in germinal centers.
- Long-lived memory B cell progeny develop a migratory phenotype, allowing them to re-enter the recirculating lymphocyte pool.