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Published on: June 1, 2018
Ascorbic Acid Promotes Plasma Cell Differentiation through Enhancing TET2/3-Mediated DNA Demethylation
Tuan Qi1, Mengmeng Sun2, Chao Zhang3
1Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM), Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Infectious Disease Research, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Joint Research Center of Hangzhou First Hospital Group and Westlake University, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) promotes plasma cell differentiation and antibody production by enhancing DNA demethylation via TET2/3. Deficiency blocks this crucial immune response.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Epigenetics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Plasma cells are crucial for high-affinity antibody production against pathogens.
- Transcriptional and epigenetic factors in plasma cell differentiation are well-studied, but environmental influences are less understood.
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an essential nutrient with potential roles in immune function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of ascorbic acid in plasma cell differentiation and humoral immune response.
- To elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying ascorbic acid's effects on plasma cell development.
- To determine the involvement of TET2 and TET3 in ascorbic acid-mediated immune responses.
Main Methods:
- In vitro B cell activation and differentiation assays with ascorbic acid treatment.
- In vivo studies using ascorbic acid-deficient models and antigen immunization.
- Analysis of DNA demethylation and gene expression related to plasma cell differentiation.
- Assessment of humoral immune response and antibody production.
Main Results:
- Ascorbic acid treatment promotes plasma cell differentiation and enhances humoral immune response.
- Ascorbic acid's effects are mediated by enhancing TET2/3-dependent DNA demethylation.
- Ascorbic acid treatment during B cell activation has lasting effects on plasma cell lineage commitment.
- Ascorbic acid deficiency in vivo impairs plasma cell differentiation and attenuates immune response.
Conclusions:
- Ascorbic acid is a key environmental cue that regulates plasma cell differentiation and humoral immunity.
- The epigenetic regulators TET2 and TET3 are essential for ascorbic acid's immune-promoting effects.
- This study uncovers a novel link between nutrition, epigenetics, and adaptive immunity.
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