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Defining two subpopulations of marginal zone B cells

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 21, pages 412–413 (2024)Cite this article

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Marginal zone (MZ) B cells, which are composed of heterogeneous subpopulations, are participate in the rapid response to antigens. Lee et al. showed that MZ B cells can be divided into two distinct subpopulations based on CD80 expression. These two subpopulations of MZ B cells exhibit differential autoreactivity, radiosensitivity, and functional capacities.

B cells are known to upregulate the expression of molecules associated with antigen presentation, such as CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, in response to antigenic or innate stimuli [6, 7]. By measuring the expression levels of CD80, CD86, MHC II and other markers on splenic B-cell subpopulations in both C57BL/6 and DBA/1 mice, Lee et al. reported that a proportion of MZ B cells, transitional 2 MZ B-cell precursors (T2-MZPs), and T1 B cells expressed high levels of CD80. The MZ B cells were classified into two subpopulations based on their CD80 expression. These two subpopulations of MZ B cells exhibited distinct gene expression profiles and different BCR-mediated signaling pathways. CD80high MZ-derived B cells exhibited increased expression of PD-L1, CD5, and CD9, as well as increased basal phosphorylation of the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling kinases Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) and AKT. Furthermore, CD80high and CD80low MZ B cells also differ in their response to pathogen-associated molecular patterns such as LPS. CD80high MZ B cells are more autoreactive and have an increased capacity to proliferate and differentiate into plasma cells compared to CD80low MZ B cells, as evidenced by the greater viability and proportion of plasma cells characterized by CD138+ (transmembrane activator and CAML interactor) TACI+ cells observed in LPS-stimulated CD80high MZ B cells.

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  1. Key Laboratory of RNA Science and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China

    Xiaojing Liu & Fei-Long Meng

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Correspondence to Fei-Long Meng.

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Liu, X., Meng, FL. Defining two subpopulations of marginal zone B cells. Cell Mol Immunol 21, 412–413 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-024-01141-1

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