CD38 low IgG-secreting cells are precursors of various CD38 high-expressing plasma cell populations.
Despite the important role immunoglobulin G (IgG)-secreting plasma cells play in memory immune responses, the differentiation and homeostasis of these cells are not completely understood. Here, we studied the differentiation of human IgG-secreting cells ex vivo and in vitro, identifying these cells by the cellular affinity matrix technology. Several subpopulations of IgG-secreting cells were identified among the cells isolated from tonsils and bone marrow, particularly differing in the expression levels of CD9, CD19, and CD38. CD38 low IgG-secreting cells were present exclusively in the tonsils. A major fraction of these cells appeared to be early plasma cell precursors, as upon activation of B cells in vitro, IgG secretion preceded up-regulation of CD38, and on tonsillar sections, IgG-containing, CD38 low cells with a plasmacytoid phenotype were found in follicles, where plasma cell differentiation starts. A unitary phenotype of migratory peripheral blood IgG-secreting cells suggests that all bone marrow plasma cell populations share a common precursor cell. These data are compatible with a multistep model for plasma cell differentiation and imply that a common CD38 low IgG-secreting precursor gives rise to a diverse plasma cell compartment.
Arce
Sergio
S
Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum Berlin, Schumannstrasse 20/21, D-10117 Berlin, Germany.
Luger
Elke
E
Muehlinghaus
Gwendolin
G
Cassese
Giuliana
G
Hauser
Anja
A
Horst
Alexander
A
Lehnert
Katja
K
Odendahl
Marcus
M
Hönemann
Dirk
D
Heller
Karl-Dieter
KD
Kleinschmidt
Harald
H
Berek
Claudia
C
Dörner
Thomas
T
Krenn
Veit
V
Hiepe
Falk
F
Bargou
Ralf
R
Radbruch
Andreas
A
Manz
Rudolf A
RA
D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase / Q000378:metabolism*; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000378:metabolism; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D060245:Tetraspanin 29
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018941:Antigens, CD19; C554869:CD9 protein, human; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D060245:Tetraspanin 29; D036541:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase; C498154:CD38 protein, human; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1