IgE⁺ memory B cells and plasma cells generated through a germinal-center pathway

Nat Immunol. 2012 Feb 26;13(4):396-404. doi: 10.1038/ni.2256.

Abstract

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are pathogenic in asthma and allergic diseases, but the in vivo biology of IgE-producing (IgE(+)) cells is poorly understood. A model of the differentiation of IgE(+) B cells proposes that IgE(+) cells develop through a germinal-center IgG1(+) intermediate and that IgE memory resides in the compartment of IgG1(+) memory B cells. Here we have used a reporter mouse expressing green fluorescent protein associated with membrane IgE transcripts (IgE-GFP) to assess in vivo IgE responses. In contrast to the IgG1-centered model of IgE switching and memory, we found that IgE(+) cells developed through a germinal-center IgE(+) intermediate to form IgE(+) memory B cells and plasma cells. Our studies delineate a new model for the in vivo biology of IgE switching and memory.

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Cell Separation
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques
  • Germinal Center / cytology*
  • Germinal Center / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Class Switching / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin E / immunology*
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Plasma Cells / cytology
  • Plasma Cells / immunology*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin E