Diversity Among Memory B Cells: Origin, Consequences, and Utility

Abstract

Immunological memory is the residuum of a successful immune response that in the B cell lineage comprises long-lived plasma cells and long-lived memory B cells. It is apparent that distinct classes of memory B cells exist, distinguishable by, among other things, immunoglobulin isotype, location, and passage through the germinal center. Some of this variation is due to the nature of the antigen, and some appears to be inherent to the process of forming memory. Here, we consider the heterogeneity in development and phenotype of memory B cells and whether particular functions are partitioned into distinct subsets. We consider also how understanding the details of generating memory may provide opportunities to develop better, functionally targeted vaccines.

Tissue Distribution and Dependence of Responsiveness of Human Antigen-Specific Memory B Cells

“…Analysis of double-negative mBCs, CD19 (37,38). The origin, antigenic specificity, and tissue location of double-negative mBC populations are still under debate (45,46). Our analyses did not reveal a complete exclusion or an exclusive enrichment of one or the other mBC population within any specific tissue and, therefore, is consistent with the migrating nature of all mBC subsets.…”

Abnormal B cell memory subsets dominate HIV-specific responses in infected individuals

“…HIVspecific B cell responses were also clearly distinct from responses against the non-HIV antigens influenza and tetanus, the latter of which was comparatively enriched within the resting memory B cell subset. However, we also found that resting memory B cells, which are abundant in healthy uninfected individuals and depleted in HIV disease (21,22,46), accounted for a relatively greater proportion of the HIV-specific response in infected individuals who maintained low plasma viremia and low immune activation either naturally or as a result of the initiation of ART. Furthermore, the response against the highly immunogenic yet generally poorly neutralizing site, CoRbs, was strongest in early HIV infection, contrasting with a less rapid response against the less immunogenic yet more neutralizing site, CD4bs.…”

T-bet+ B cells are induced by human viral infections and dominate the HIV gp140 response

“…production, or differentiation into antibody-secreting cells (8)(9)(10). Memory B cells can also express different antibody isotypes that fulfill diverse spatiotemporal and pathogen-specific roles upon secretion (11,12).…”