What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the origin, phenotypic identity, and developmental fate of transient antigen-specific CD21lo B cells that arise following immunization.

January 13, 2017Science ImmunologyOpen Access

Low CD21 expression defines a population of recent germinal center graduates primed for plasma cell differentiation

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Immunological study reveals transient CD21lo B cells emerging after immunization, indicating commitment to long-lived plasma cell differentiation.

To determine the origin, phenotypic identity, and developmental fate of transient antigen-specific CD21lo B cells that arise following immunization.
Tracked antigen-specific CD19+CD27+CD21lo B cells in circulation between 14 and 28 days post-immunization.
Constructed phylogenetic trees using immunoglobulin variable gene somatic mutations to establish lineage relationships with memory B cells and plasmablasts.
Evaluated gene transcription programs, surface phenotypes, and intracellular protein levels of transcription factors Blimp-1 and T-bet.
Antigen-specific CD21lo B cells emerge transiently 14 to 28 days post-vaccination and form distinct phylogenetic clades, demonstrating recent egress from active germinal centers.
CD21lo cells display significantly elevated levels of Blimp-1 and T-bet transcription factors compared with classical CD27+ memory B cells.
Transcriptional profiling revealed a pre-plasmablast signature primed for plasma cell differentiation and refractory to germinal center reentry, despite an absence of spontaneous antibody secretion.

Lau et al. (2017) studied this question.

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Immunological study reveals transient CD21lo B cells emerging after immunization, indicating commitment to long-lived plasma cell differentiation.