In the peripheral blood of humans, the B cell compartment can be divided into four major subsets on the basis of CD27 and IgD expression; naive/transitional (CD27-IgD+), double negative (CD27-IgD), switched memory B cells (CD27+IgD–) and unswitched memory B cells (CD27+IgD+) B cells. Switched memory B cells are of germinal center origin and include isotype-switched IgG, IgA, IgE and the pre-switched IgM+ only cells, whereas unswitched memory are antigen experienced B cells expressing IgM+IgD+ or the smaller subset of IgD+ only (IgM-). The unswitched memory B cell population in the literature has alternative names including ‘non-switched memory’ or ‘circulating marginal zone’ (or marginal zone-like) B cells in humans.
While the ability of switched memory B cells to contribute to responses during recurrent viral infection has been demonstrated, the origin and contribution of unswitched memory B cells to humoral immunity remains controversial. Furthermore, additional work needs to be done to parse out the potential involvement of unswitched memory B cells in differentiation to autoreactive plasma cells during autoimmune disease. This research topic aims to highlight novel roles of unswitched memory B cells in autoimmunity and viral infection, as well as, stimulate thoughtful discussion on the origin and fate of unswitched memory B cells.
Specific themes to be addressed (but are not limited to) include:
• Studies on the origin of the unswitched memory B cell population in autoimmune disease or viral infection such as mechanisms governing the differentiation of a naive or intermediate B cell into an unswitched memory B cell
• Studies on the stability of the unswitched memory population over time (participation in memory recall response in germinal centers or contribution to the plasma cell pool)
• Evaluation of the BCR repertoire (gene usage, clonality) and monoclonal antibodies derived from the unswitched memory B cell population in autoimmune disease (autoreactivity) or viral infection (neutralization) and any cross-reactivity noted
• Delineation of subsets with the unswitched memory population including development of IgD+ (IgM-) only cell type and examination of BCR autoreactivity of this subset with potential pathogenic contribution to disease
• Phenotypic, functional and repertoire comparison of unswitched memory B cell with IgM+(IgD-) only switched memory B cells
• Examination of the functional role of unswitched memory B cells beyond antibody production (cytokine production, T cell activation, antigen presentation)
In the peripheral blood of humans, the B cell compartment can be divided into four major subsets on the basis of CD27 and IgD expression; naive/transitional (CD27-IgD+), double negative (CD27-IgD), switched memory B cells (CD27+IgD–) and unswitched memory B cells (CD27+IgD+) B cells. Switched memory B cells are of germinal center origin and include isotype-switched IgG, IgA, IgE and the pre-switched IgM+ only cells, whereas unswitched memory are antigen experienced B cells expressing IgM+IgD+ or the smaller subset of IgD+ only (IgM-). The unswitched memory B cell population in the literature has alternative names including ‘non-switched memory’ or ‘circulating marginal zone’ (or marginal zone-like) B cells in humans.
While the ability of switched memory B cells to contribute to responses during recurrent viral infection has been demonstrated, the origin and contribution of unswitched memory B cells to humoral immunity remains controversial. Furthermore, additional work needs to be done to parse out the potential involvement of unswitched memory B cells in differentiation to autoreactive plasma cells during autoimmune disease. This research topic aims to highlight novel roles of unswitched memory B cells in autoimmunity and viral infection, as well as, stimulate thoughtful discussion on the origin and fate of unswitched memory B cells.
Specific themes to be addressed (but are not limited to) include:
• Studies on the origin of the unswitched memory B cell population in autoimmune disease or viral infection such as mechanisms governing the differentiation of a naive or intermediate B cell into an unswitched memory B cell
• Studies on the stability of the unswitched memory population over time (participation in memory recall response in germinal centers or contribution to the plasma cell pool)
• Evaluation of the BCR repertoire (gene usage, clonality) and monoclonal antibodies derived from the unswitched memory B cell population in autoimmune disease (autoreactivity) or viral infection (neutralization) and any cross-reactivity noted
• Delineation of subsets with the unswitched memory population including development of IgD+ (IgM-) only cell type and examination of BCR autoreactivity of this subset with potential pathogenic contribution to disease
• Phenotypic, functional and repertoire comparison of unswitched memory B cell with IgM+(IgD-) only switched memory B cells
• Examination of the functional role of unswitched memory B cells beyond antibody production (cytokine production, T cell activation, antigen presentation)
