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Updated: Jul 23, 2025
In Vitro Differentiation Model of Human Normal Memory B Cells to Long-lived Plasma Cells
Published on: January 20, 2019
Putting a stamp on plasma cells' age certificate.
Vassilis Glaros1, Taras Kreslavsky1
1Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology and Allergy, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) are crucial for immunity. A new study shows LLPC survival in bone marrow doesn't depend on competition with newer plasma cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) are essential for sustained humoral immunity following vaccination and infection.
- Understanding the factors governing LLPC survival is critical for optimizing vaccine efficacy and managing immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics and survival mechanisms of the long-lived plasma cell compartment.
- To determine if competition for niche occupancy influences the longevity of established LLPCs in the bone marrow.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a novel timestamping approach to fate map and characterize the LLPC population.
- Analyzed the bone marrow microenvironment and its interaction with plasma cells.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that the longevity of plasma cells within the bone marrow is independent of competition.
- Established that newly generated plasma cells do not displace or negatively impact established LLPCs for survival niches.
Conclusions:
- Plasma cell longevity in the bone marrow is a robust process, not limited by competitive exclusion from niches.
- These findings provide new insights into the maintenance of long-term antibody-mediated immunity.
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