| First Author | Zabel F | Year | 2017 |
| Journal | Immunology | Volume | 150 |
| Issue | 3 | Pages | 329-342 |
| PubMed ID | 27861835 | Mgi Jnum | J:249531 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:5923457 | Doi | 10.1111/imm.12688 |
| Citation | Zabel F, et al. (2017) Distinct T helper cell dependence of memory B-cell proliferation versus plasma cell differentiation. Immunology 150(3):329-342 |
| abstractText | Several memory B-cell subclasses with distinct functions have been described, of which the most effective is the class-switched (CS) memory B-cell population. We have previously shown, using virus-like particles (VLPs), that the proliferative potential of these CS memory B cells is limited and they fail to re-enter germinal centres (GCs). However, VLP-specific memory B cells quickly differentiated into secondary plasma cells (PCs) with the virtue of elevated antibody production compared with primary PCs. Whereas the induction of VLP+ memory B cells was strongly dependent on T helper cells, we were wondering whether re-stimulation of VLP+ memory B cells and their differentiation into secondary PCs would also require T helper cells. Global absence of T helper cells led to strongly impaired memory B cell proliferation and PC differentiation. In contrast, lack of interleukin-21 receptor-dependent follicular T helper cells or CD40 ligand signalling strongly affected proliferation of memory B cells, but differentiation into mature secondary PCs exhibiting increased antibody production was essentially normal. This contrasts with primary B-cell responses, where a strong dependence on CD40 ligand but limited importance of interleukin-21 receptor was seen. Hence, T helper cell dependence differs between primary and secondary B-cell responses as well as between memory B-cell proliferation and PC differentiation. |
