title: What is and what should always have been: long-lived plasma cells induced by T cell-independent antigens.
abstract: It is well accepted that Ag-induced B cell differentiation often results in the generation of exceptionally long-lived plasma cells. Much of the work supporting this viewpoint stems from studies focused on germinal center-derived plasma cells secreting high-affinity isotype-switched Abs in mice immunized with T cell-dependent Ags. In contrast, less attention has been devoted to understanding Ab responses to T cell-independent Ags and pathogens. In this study, we review recent work showing that T cell-independent Ags consisting of either polysaccharides or LPSs also induce the formation of long-lived plasma cells, despite their general inability to sustain germinal center responses. This new information provides a framework for more fully understanding the forces underlying immunity to pathogens that resist T cell recognition and the extracellular cues governing plasma cell longevity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bortnick
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Allman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens