title: A functional BCR in human IgA and IgM plasma cells.
abstract: Plasma cells (PCs) are terminally differentiated cells of the B-cell lineage that secrete antibodies at a high rate and are thought to lack the expression of the B-cell receptor (BCR). Here, we report that human IgA and IgM, unlike IgG, PCs express a membrane functional BCR associated with the Igα/Igβ heterodimer. BCR cross-linking on IgA and IgM PCs led to Ca(2+) mobilization and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and AKT phosphorylation and impacted survival of IgA PCs. These findings demonstrate a significant difference between human IgG, IgM, and IgA PCs and suggest that the IgA PC repertoire may be modulated by specific antigens with implications for the regulation of the mucosal immune system.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Dora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montani
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bolli
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garavaglia
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sallusto
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lanzavecchia
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jarrossay
mesh_terms: D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051925:CD79 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000378:metabolism*; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051925:CD79 Antigens; C497882:Cd79a protein, mouse; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; C498155:Cd38 protein, mouse; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1