B cells

B cells are a subtype of lymphocyte. They form part of the adaptive immune response and mediate humoral immunity. B cells can produce high-affinity antibodies and generate immunological memory.

Latest Research and Reviews

Research
30 January 2023 | Open Access

B cell response after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in people living with HIV

Polvere et al. investigate B cell responses after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in people living with HIV undergoing anti-retroviral therapy. Spike-specific humoral and B cell responses persist for at least six months although a reduced ACE2/RBD binding inhibition capacity and different memory B phenotypes are observed compared to healthy controls.
- Jacopo Polvere
- , Massimiliano Fabbiani
- & Donata Medaglini
Communications Medicine 3, 13
Research
07 December 2022 | Open Access

Age-associated B cells are long-lasting effectors that impede latent γHV68 reactivation
- Isobel C. Mouat
- , Iryna Shanina
- & Marc S. Horwitz
Scientific Reports 12, 21189
Research
28 November 2022 | Open Access

A p38α-BLIMP1 signalling pathway is essential for plasma cell differentiation

Plasma cells are terminally differentiated B cells that are specialized for antibody secretion. Authors show here that genomic deletion of the p38α mitogen activated protein kinase specifically in the B cell lineage leads to diminished plasma cell differentiation via impairment of a transcriptional regulatory program by BLIMP1.
- Jianfeng Wu
- , Kang Yang
- & Jiahuai Han
Nature Communications 13, 7321
Research
26 October 2022 | Open Access

Functional antibodies exhibit light chain coherence

Among naturally occurring antibodies that have adapted to antigen, those with similar heavy chains usually have similar light chains.
- David B. Jaffe
- , Payam Shahi
- & Wyatt J. McDonnell
Nature 611, 352-357
Research
16 October 2022 | Open Access

Ex vivo engineered human plasma cells exhibit robust protein secretion and long-term engraftment in vivo

Plasma B cells (PC) are a potential source for protein replacement as they could be engineered to secrete protein other than antibody. Here the authors engineer B cells to express exogenous proteins and demonstrate that these cells can persist long term in adoptive transfer experiments in mice.
- Rene Yu-Hong Cheng
- , King L. Hung
- & Richard G. James
Nature Communications 13, 6110
Research | 22 August 2022

Jmjd1c demethylates STAT3 to restrain plasma cell differentiation and rheumatoid arthritis

The STAT3 pathway is activated in B cells by interleukin-6 and interleukin-21; however, methylation of Lys140 prevents its dephosphorylation and deactivation. Yin et al. report a noncanonical role for the histone demethylase Jmjd1c in demethylating phosphorylated STAT3, thereby terminating B cell activation and limiting plasma cell generation and potential B cell-mediated autoimmunity.
- Yuye Yin
- , Xinyi Yang
- & Xiaoming Wang
Nature Immunology 23, 1342-1354

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News and Comment

Correspondence
27 January 2023 | Open Access

DNA-PK hyperactivation occurs in deletion 11q chronic lymphocytic leukemia and is both a biomarker and therapeutic target for drug-resistant disease
- Sara E. F. Kost
- , Ali Saleh
- & Sachin Katyal
Blood Cancer Journal 13, 20
Research Highlights | 29 November 2022

Targeting the DNA damage response attenuates SLE-associated B cell characteristics

Inhibition of the DNA damage response kinase ATR prevents B cells from IFNα-mediated acquisition of a systemic lupus erythematosus immunogenic profile.
- Robert Phillips
Nature Reviews Rheumatology 19, 2
News & Views | 10 November 2022

Mouse long-lived plasma cells develop from multiple origins

By combining single-cell mRNA sequencing and a genetic pulse–chase mouse model, we identified multiple subsets of mouse long-lived plasma cells and showed that these cells can originate from diverse developmental routes.

Nature Immunology 23, 1521-1522
Research Highlights | 04 November 2022

Immunosuppression
- Stephanie Houston
Nature Immunology 23, 1520
News & Views | 31 October 2022

The secret to longevity, plasma cell style

An enduring antibody response is ultimately dependent on the generation and maintenance of long-lived plasma cells. New research describes the use of single-cell transcriptomics approaches to reveal the defining features of longevity in plasma cells.
- Julie Tellier
- & Stephen L. Nutt
Nature Immunology 23, 1507-1508
Research Highlights | 24 October 2022

CAR T cells induce drug-free SLE remission

Results from a study of CAR T cell therapy in five patients with treatment-refractory systemic lupus erythematosus demonstrate the induction of sustained drug-free disease remission.
- Robert Phillips
Nature Reviews Rheumatology 18, 671

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B cells

Latest Research and Reviews

B cell response after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in people living with HIV

Age-associated B cells are long-lasting effectors that impede latent γHV68 reactivation

A p38α-BLIMP1 signalling pathway is essential for plasma cell differentiation

Functional antibodies exhibit light chain coherence

Ex vivo engineered human plasma cells exhibit robust protein secretion and long-term engraftment in vivo

Jmjd1c demethylates STAT3 to restrain plasma cell differentiation and rheumatoid arthritis

News and Comment

DNA-PK hyperactivation occurs in deletion 11q chronic lymphocytic leukemia and is both a biomarker and therapeutic target for drug-resistant disease

Targeting the DNA damage response attenuates SLE-associated B cell characteristics

Mouse long-lived plasma cells develop from multiple origins

Immunosuppression

The secret to longevity, plasma cell style

CAR T cells induce drug-free SLE remission

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B cells

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