title: Antigen-specific memory B cell development.
abstract: Helper T (Th) cell-regulated B cell immunity progresses in an ordered cascade of cellular development that culminates in the production of antigen-specific memory B cells. The recognition of peptide MHC class II complexes on activated antigen-presenting cells is critical for effective Th cell selection, clonal expansion, and effector Th cell function development (Phase I). Cognate effector Th cell-B cell interactions then promote the development of either short-lived plasma cells (PCs) or germinal centers (GCs) (Phase II). These GCs expand, diversify, and select high-affinity variants of antigen-specific B cells for entry into the long-lived memory B cell compartment (Phase III). Upon antigen rechallenge, memory B cells rapidly expand and differentiate into PCs under the cognate control of memory Th cells (Phase IV). We review the cellular and molecular regulators of this dynamic process with emphasis on the multiple memory B cell fates that develop in vivo.
authors.affiliation: The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. louisemw@scripps.edu
authors.forename: Louise J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: McHeyzer-Williams
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: McHeyzer-Williams
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D017578:Immunoglobulin Class Switching; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000209:etiology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology; D027041:Somatic Hypermutation, Immunoglobulin; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens