Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Immunological Memory01:23

Immunological Memory

624
Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature...
624
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

991
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
991
Humoral Immune Responses01:36

Humoral Immune Responses

72.7K
Overview
72.7K
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

1.7K
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...
1.7K
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity01:26

Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity

498
An antigen is any substance the immune system identifies as foreign and potentially harmful to the body, prompting an immune response. Antigens have two functional properties: immunogenicity and reactivity. Immunogenicity is the ability of an antigen to stimulate a specific immune response. At the same time, reactivity describes the antigen's ability to react with the cells and antibodies produced in response to it.
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and...
498
Special Features of Adaptive Immunity01:20

Special Features of Adaptive Immunity

825
The adaptive immune system, a crucial component of the overall immune response, offers a highly specialized defense against pathogens. It involves specific cell types and features, enabling it to combat infections effectively and efficiently.
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
825

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Disturbed metabolic adaptation drives natural killer cell dysfunction in association with nosocomial infection during human sepsis.

EBioMedicine·2026
Same author

Distinct effects of CREBBP missense and truncating mutations.

Blood·2026
Same author

RNA-based full length immunoglobulin light chain sequencing reveals lambda constant domain mutations with potential implications for thermodynamic stability in light chain amyloidosis.

Amyloid : the international journal of experimental and clinical investigation : the official journal of the International Society of Amyloidosis·2026
Same author

CLL cell-derived soluble factors do not influence the functionality of normal B cells.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same author

Divergent granulopoiesis at extramedullary sites safeguards antibacterial host defense.

Science immunology·2026
Same author

Transthyretin stabilizer therapy increases naturally-occurring antibodies in ATTR cardiomyopathy.

Amyloid : the international journal of experimental and clinical investigation : the official journal of the International Society of Amyloidosis·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2025

The Isolation, Differentiation, and Quantification of Human Antibody-secreting B Cells from Blood: ELISpot as a Functional Readout of Humoral Immunity
08:26

The Isolation, Differentiation, and Quantification of Human Antibody-secreting B Cells from Blood: ELISpot as a Functional Readout of Humoral Immunity

Published on: December 14, 2016

15.3K

Human IgM-expressing memory B cells.

Bettina Budeus1, Artur Kibler1, Ralf Küppers1

  • 1Institute of Cell Biology (Cancer Research), Medical Faculty, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.

Frontiers in Immunology
|December 25, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Most adult human memory B cells expressing IgM and mutated genes originate from germinal center reactions. This contrasts with some early-life B cells, highlighting diverse immune memory origins.

Keywords:
B cellsCD27IgDclass switch recombinationgerminal centerimmunoglobulin V genesmarginal zonesomatic hypermutation

More Related Videos

Analysis of Somatic Hypermutation in the JH4 intron of Germinal Center B cells from Mouse Peyer's Patches
09:35

Analysis of Somatic Hypermutation in the JH4 intron of Germinal Center B cells from Mouse Peyer's Patches

Published on: April 20, 2021

6.7K
Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
06:15

Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Published on: September 7, 2018

9.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 7, 2025

The Isolation, Differentiation, and Quantification of Human Antibody-secreting B Cells from Blood: ELISpot as a Functional Readout of Humoral Immunity
08:26

The Isolation, Differentiation, and Quantification of Human Antibody-secreting B Cells from Blood: ELISpot as a Functional Readout of Humoral Immunity

Published on: December 14, 2016

15.3K
Analysis of Somatic Hypermutation in the JH4 intron of Germinal Center B cells from Mouse Peyer's Patches
09:35

Analysis of Somatic Hypermutation in the JH4 intron of Germinal Center B cells from Mouse Peyer's Patches

Published on: April 20, 2021

6.7K
Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
06:15

Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Published on: September 7, 2018

9.5K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • T cell-dependent (TD) humoral immunity relies on long-lived memory B cells generated during germinal center (GC) reactions.
  • GC reactions involve B cell proliferation, immunoglobulin V (IgV) gene somatic hypermutation, and selection for high-affinity B-cell antigen receptors.
  • While class-switched memory B cells (IgG, IgA) were historically emphasized, a significant population of IgM-expressing memory B cells also exists.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the origin of distinct human IgM-expressing B cell subsets with somatically mutated IgV genes.
  • To clarify the role of germinal center reactions in generating these specific memory B cell populations.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of immunoglobulin V (IgV) gene somatic hypermutation in human B cell populations.
  • Comparison of phenotypic and functional characteristics of IgM+ memory B cells and class-switched memory B cells.
  • Tracing the differentiation pathways of B cells within the context of germinal center reactions and other potential origins.

Main Results:

  • The vast majority of adult human IgM-expressing B cells with somatically mutated IgV genes are derived from germinal center (GC) reactions.
  • Distinct subsets of human IgM+ B cells with somatically mutated IgV genes show similarities and differences to class-switched memory B cells.
  • A minor population of lowly mutated IgM+ B cells may originate from alternative differentiation pathways, particularly during early life.

Conclusions:

  • Germinal center reactions are the primary source of somatically mutated, IgM-expressing memory B cells in adult humans.
  • Understanding the origins of different memory B cell subsets is crucial for comprehending adaptive immunity and immune memory.
  • Further research may elucidate the specific roles and developmental trajectories of both GC-derived and potentially non-GC-derived IgM+ B cells.