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Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Generation of Human CD40-activated B cells
Published on: October 17, 2009
Phenotype and function of human B cells expressing CD70 (CD27 ligand)
S M Lens1, R de Jong, B Hooibrink
1Department of Clinical Viro-Immunology, Central Laboratory of the Netherlands Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Amsterdam.
Insights
CD70 is a marker for mature B cells primed by antigen. CD70+ B cells, unlike CD70- B cells, produce large quantities of antibodies in T cell-dependent activation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- CD70, a ligand for CD27, is expressed on a limited number of B cells in lymphoid tissues and circulation.
- Understanding CD70 expression on B cells is crucial for deciphering B cell maturation and immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the signals regulating CD70 expression on B cells.
- To characterize the phenotype and function of CD70-expressing (CD70+) B cells.
Main Methods:
- In vitro activation of B cells with antigen receptor cross-linking, CD40 ligation, and cytokines (IL-4, IL-13).
- Flow cytometry analysis of peripheral blood and tonsil B cell subsets.
- Functional assays assessing immunoglobulin secretion upon T cell-dependent and independent activation.
Main Results:
- CD70 expression on activated B cells depends on B cell antigen receptor cross-linking and CD40 ligation, but is reduced by IL-4 and IL-13.
- CD70+ B cells are enriched for CD27- and IgG+ cells, and depleted of IgD+ cells.
- CD70+ B cells, but not CD70- B cells, produce substantial antibodies during T cell-dependent activation.
Conclusions:
- CD70 expression on B cells is regulated by specific signaling pathways.
- CD70 serves as a marker for mature B cells recently primed by antigen in vivo.
- CD70+ B cells are functionally distinct and play a key role in T cell-dependent antibody production.
Abstract:
CD70, the cellular ligand of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family member CD27, can be found on a limited number of germinal center (GC) B cells in some tonsils, on scattered lymphocytes residing in secondary lymphoid organs, and on a fraction of the circulating B cell population. Due to the restricted expression of CD70 in vivo, we analyzed signals that determine CD70 expression levels and characterized the phenotype and function of CD70+ B cells. Expression of CD70 on B cells activated in vitro was found to be dependent on the continuous presence of a B cell antigen receptor cross-linking agent, and induced or potentiated by CD40 ligation but was down-modulated by the Th2 cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. Both in peripheral blood and tonsil cell suspensions, CD70+ B cell subpopulations were found to be enriched for CD27- and IgG-expressing cells, but contained less IgD+ B cells. Additional analysis of markers which define specific differentiation stages (Bm1-5) of mature B cells within human tonsils did not place CD70-expressing B cells in one of these subsets. Functional experiments revealed that whereas both CD70- and CD70+ B cells can secrete immunoglobulin after activation with a combination of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I and IL-2, only CD70+ B cells can produce large quantities of antibodies when stimulated in a T cell-dependent fashion. Our combined data imply that CD70 is a marker for mature B cells which have recently been primed by antigen in vivo.
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