Antibody-secreting plasma cells persist for decades in human intestine

Abstract

This study provides a definite answer to the long-standing question concerning the longevity of the secretory antibody response. Landsverk et al. show that antigenic attrition affects a minor plasma cell subset and that distinct plasma cells are likely maintained for life in the human small intestine.

Plasma cells: You are what you eat

“…5,[10][11][12] Finally, other researchers found no evidence that inoculation of mice with TLR ligands led to meaningful activation of memory B cells in vivo. [19][20][21] In mice, plasma cell subsets of varying lifespans can be distinguished by expression of B220, B-lymphocyte induced maturation protein 1 (BLIMP1), CD93 (also known as AA4.1), major histocompatibility class 2 (MHCII), CXCR3, and uptake of the fluorescent glucose analog 2-deoxy-2-(7-Nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino)-D-glucose (2NBDG) 1,[22][23][24][25] (Figure 1). Thus, in the context of the findings by Amanna and colleagues, we conclude that the different half-lives of antibody production after vaccination or infection are due to heterogeneity in the lifespan of the plasma cells.…”

“…In humans, CD19 expression marks relatively short-lived plasma cells in both the bone marrow and the intestine. [19][20][21] In mice, plasma cell subsets of varying lifespans can be distinguished by expression of B220, B-lymphocyte induced maturation protein 1 (BLIMP1), CD93 (also known as AA4.1), major histocompatibility class 2 (MHCII), CXCR3, and uptake of the fluorescent glucose analog 2-deoxy-2-(7-Nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino)-D-glucose (2NBDG) 1,[22][23][24][25] (Figure 1). Plasma cells can also be classified based on their non-antibody producing functions, exemplified by Lymphocyte-Activation gene 3 (LAG3) expression.…”

T‐bet+ memory B cells: Generation, function, and fate

“…[2][3][4][5] Functional subsets also exist among antigen-experienced lymphocytes, which can be broadly divided into two general classes of memory vs effector cells. [17][18][19][20] Within this context, a B cell subset expressing the transcription factor T-bet has been the focus of increasing interest in the last several years, reflected by numerous commentaries and dedicated overview volumes. [6][7][8][9][10] Analogous broad categories also exist among antigen-experienced cells of the B lineage-memory B cells (Bmem) and antibodysecreting plasma cells (PC)-and reports of subdivisions within these groups have emerged in the last several years.…”

“…Thus, Bmem with distinct phenotypic and functional abilities have been described by several groups, [11][12][13][14][15][16] and PC pools with profoundly different turnover rates are now appreciated. [17][18][19][20] Within this context, a B cell subset expressing the transcription factor T-bet has been the focus of increasing interest in the last several years, reflected by numerous commentaries and dedicated overview volumes. [21][22][23][24][25][26] These T-bet + B cells have been identified in both mice and humans in a variety of contexts, including aging, [27][28][29] autoimmunity, 28,[30][31][32][33][34] and infection.…”

“…For example, the identification of phenotypically defined subsets of developing B lymphocytes has fostered an understanding of the genetic and selective events that establish and shape pre-immune pools (eg, 1,2 ). [17][18][19][20] Within this context, a B cell subset expressing the transcription factor T-bet has been the focus of increasing interest in the last several years, reflected by numerous commentaries and dedicated overview volumes. [2][3][4][5] Functional subsets also exist among antigen-experienced lymphocytes, which can be broadly divided into two general classes of memory vs effector cells.…”