Centrocytes rapidly adopt a memory B cell phenotype on co-culture with autologous germinal centre T cell-enriched preparations.
B cells, after mutating their Ig B-region genes in germinal centres (GC), undergo apoptosis, unless they receive antigen-dependent selection signals. The signals appear to be delivered by GC T cells, require CD40 ligand expression and may induce differentiation to memory cells. Cultured GC B cells are prevented from entering apoptosis by ligating their surface CD40, but the resulting phenotype is not associated with B cells found in vivo. Conversely, GC B cells rapidly adopt a memory B cell phenotype on culture with autologous memory CD4(+) T cells that have been induced to express CD40 ligand transiently. This effect is prevented by blocking CD40 ligand. Naive CD4(+) T cells, induced to express CD40 ligand, do not prevent GC B cells undergoing apoptosis.
Casamayor-Palleja
M
M
Department of Immunology, University of Birmingham Medical School, UK.
Feuillard
J
J
Ball
J
J
Drew
M
M
MacLennan
I C
IC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D019013:CD40 Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D023201:CD40 Ligand