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Heterogeneity of memory B cells in human blood
David Priest1, James Wing1,2,3
1Human Single Cell Immunology Team, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), The University of Osaka, 1-10 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Insights
Human blood B cells exhibit diverse subtypes, including naive, memory, and plasma cells. A proposed framework using five key markers can help differentiate these B cell populations.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Human B cells present diverse phenotypes, from naive to memory and antibody-producing plasma cells.
- Traditional B cell subset classification relies on limited surface markers (IgD, CD27, CD21), but single-cell technologies reveal greater complexity.
- Discrepancies in marker usage create confusion in defining B cell populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the conflicting and overlapping identities of human circulating B cells.
- To emphasize the phenotypic and functional characteristics of memory B cells.
- To propose a standardized framework for human B cell subset discrimination.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on B cell phenotyping.
- Analysis of high-parameter cytometry and single-cell sequencing data.
- Development of a proposed classification framework.
Main Results:
- Recent advances highlight extensive human B cell diversity beyond traditional classifications.
- Overlapping marker expression complicates precise identification of B cell subsets.
- A five-marker panel (IgD, CD27, CD21, CD11c, CD45RB isoform) is proposed for discriminating major circulating B cell populations.
Conclusions:
- A unified approach is needed to resolve ambiguities in human B cell subset identification.
- The proposed five-marker framework offers a potential solution for consistent B cell classification.
- Accurate discrimination of B cell populations is crucial for understanding immune responses.
Abstract:
In human blood B cells exist in a variety of forms ranging from antigen-inexperienced naive cells to long-term memory cells, and antibody-producing plasma cells. Historically, the divisions between these types of cells have been defined by a few characteristic surface markers such as IgD, CD27, and CD21, but recent advances in single-cell techniques such as high-parameter cytometry and single-cell sequencing have revealed a greater diversity of populations. An expanding palette of markers has helped to better define B cell subsets but can be a source of confusion when overlapping cell types are identified using different sets of markers. In this review, we will discuss the conflicting and overlapping phenotypic and functional identities of human circulating B cells with a particular emphasis on memory B cells. We also propose a framework in which five B cell markers (IgD, CD27, CD21, CD11c, and a glycosylated isoform of CD45RB) can discriminate the majority of B cell populations in human blood.
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