Memory B Cells and Long-lived Plasma Cells. 2019

Lavinia Ionescu, and Simon Urschel
University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

The importance of B cell and antibody-mediated immune response in the acute and long-term persistence of transplanted solid organs has become increasingly evident in recent years. A variety of therapeutic innovations target antibodies directed toward HLA or blood groups (ABO) to allow better allocation and posttransplant longevity of organs. Antibodies originate from plasma cells (PCs), which are terminally differentiated B cells. Long-term production and persistence of these antibodies is partly due to fast reactivation of previously generated memory B cells; however, there is increasing evidence that some differentiated PCs can persist independently in the bone marrow for years or even decades, producing specific antibodies or even experiencing regeneration without proliferation without need to be replaced by newly differentiating B cells. This review outlines the currently presumed pathways of differentiation, antibody, and memory generation on both B-cell and PC levels. On this background, current therapeutic concepts for antibody reduction before and after solid organ transplantation are considered, to better understand their mechanisms, possible synergisms, and specific risks. Specific differences in regards to ABO versus HLA antibodies as well as practical relevance for generation of desensitization and posttransplant antibody-directed therapy protocols are discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007156 Immunologic Memory The altered state of immunologic responsiveness resulting from initial contact with antigen, which enables the individual to produce antibodies more rapidly and in greater quantity in response to secondary antigenic stimulus. Immune Memory,Immunological Memory,Memory, Immunologic,Immune Memories,Immunologic Memories,Immunological Memories,Memory, Immune,Memory, Immunological
D008213 Lymphocyte Activation Morphologic alteration of small B LYMPHOCYTES or T LYMPHOCYTES in culture into large blast-like cells able to synthesize DNA and RNA and to divide mitotically. It is induced by INTERLEUKINS; MITOGENS such as PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININS, and by specific ANTIGENS. It may also occur in vivo as in GRAFT REJECTION. Blast Transformation,Blastogenesis,Lymphoblast Transformation,Lymphocyte Stimulation,Lymphocyte Transformation,Transformation, Blast,Transformation, Lymphoblast,Transformation, Lymphocyte,Activation, Lymphocyte,Stimulation, Lymphocyte
D010950 Plasma Cells Specialized forms of antibody-producing B-LYMPHOCYTES. They synthesize and secrete immunoglobulin. They are found only in lymphoid organs and at sites of immune responses and normally do not circulate in the blood or lymph. (Rosen et al., Dictionary of Immunology, 1989, p169 & Abbas et al., Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 2d ed, p20) Plasmacytes,Cell, Plasma,Cells, Plasma,Plasma Cell,Plasmacyte
D001854 Bone Marrow Cells Cells contained in the bone marrow including fat cells (see ADIPOCYTES); STROMAL CELLS; MEGAKARYOCYTES; and the immediate precursors of most blood cells. Bone Marrow Cell,Cell, Bone Marrow,Cells, Bone Marrow,Marrow Cell, Bone,Marrow Cells, Bone
D002454 Cell Differentiation Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function that leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs. Differentiation, Cell,Cell Differentiations,Differentiations, Cell
D006084 Graft Rejection An immune response with both cellular and humoral components, directed against an allogeneic transplant, whose tissue antigens are not compatible with those of the recipient. Transplant Rejection,Rejection, Transplant,Transplantation Rejection,Graft Rejections,Rejection, Graft,Rejection, Transplantation,Rejections, Graft,Rejections, Transplant,Rejections, Transplantation,Transplant Rejections,Transplantation Rejections
D006680 HLA Antigens Antigens determined by leukocyte loci found on chromosome 6, the major histocompatibility loci in humans. They are polypeptides or glycoproteins found on most nucleated cells and platelets, determine tissue types for transplantation, and are associated with certain diseases. Human Leukocyte Antigen,Human Leukocyte Antigens,Leukocyte Antigens,HL-A Antigens,Antigen, Human Leukocyte,Antigens, HL-A,Antigens, HLA,Antigens, Human Leukocyte,Antigens, Leukocyte,HL A Antigens,Leukocyte Antigen, Human,Leukocyte Antigens, Human
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000017 ABO Blood-Group System The major human blood type system which depends on the presence or absence of two antigens A and B. Type O occurs when neither A nor B is present and AB when both are present. A and B are genetic factors that determine the presence of enzymes for the synthesis of certain glycoproteins mainly in the red cell membrane. ABH Blood Group,ABO Blood Group,ABO Factors,Blood Group H Type 1 Antigen,H Blood Group,H Blood Group System,ABO Blood Group System,Blood Group, ABH,Blood Group, ABO,Blood Group, H,Blood-Group System, ABO,Factors, ABO,System, ABO Blood-Group
D000917 Antibody Formation The production of ANTIBODIES by proliferating and differentiated B-LYMPHOCYTES under stimulation by ANTIGENS. Antibody Production,Antibody Response,Antibody Responses,Formation, Antibody,Production, Antibody,Response, Antibody,Responses, Antibody

Related Publications

Lavinia Ionescu, and Simon Urschel
December 2022, Renal failure,
Lavinia Ionescu, and Simon Urschel
April 1999, Current opinion in immunology,
Lavinia Ionescu, and Simon Urschel
January 2019, Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE,
Lavinia Ionescu, and Simon Urschel
August 2009, European journal of immunology,
Lavinia Ionescu, and Simon Urschel
December 2011, The Journal of experimental medicine,
Lavinia Ionescu, and Simon Urschel
November 2000, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
Lavinia Ionescu, and Simon Urschel
May 1973, Nature: New biology,
Lavinia Ionescu, and Simon Urschel
January 2008, Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950),
Copied contents to your clipboard!