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Updated: Nov 17, 2025

Evaluation of T Follicular Helper Cells and Germinal Center Response During Influenza A Virus Infection in Mice
Published on: June 27, 2020
Notch2-mediated plasticity between marginal zone and follicular B cells
Markus Lechner1, Thomas Engleitner2,3,4, Tea Babushku1
1Research Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, German Research Center for Environmental Health, München, Germany.
Abstract:
Follicular B (FoB) and marginal zone B (MZB) cells are functionally and spatially distinct mature B cell populations in the spleen, originating from a Notch2-dependent fate decision after splenic influx of immature transitional B cells. In the B cell follicle, a Notch2-signal is provided by DLL-1-expressing fibroblasts. However, it is unclear whether FoB cells, which are in close contact with these DLL-1 expressing fibroblasts, can also differentiate to MZB cells if they receive a Notch2-signal. Here, we show induced Notch2IC-expression in FoB cells re-programs mature FoB cells into bona fide MZB cells as is evident from the surface phenotype, localization, immunological function and transcriptome of these cells. Furthermore, the lineage conversion from FoB to MZB cells occurs in immunocompetent wildtype mice. These findings demonstrate plasticity between mature FoB and MZB cells that can be driven by a singular signaling event, the activation of Notch2.
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