Maintenance of serological memory by polyclonal activation of human memory B cells

NL Bernasconi, E Traggiai, A Lanzavecchia - Science, 2002 - science.org
NL Bernasconi, E Traggiai, A Lanzavecchia
Science, 2002science.org
Production of antibodies can last for a lifetime, through mechanisms that remain poorly
understood. Here, we show that human memory B lymphocytes proliferate and differentiate
into plasma cells in response to polyclonal stimuli, such as bystander T cell help and CpG
DNA. Furthermore, plasma cells secreting antibodies to recall antigens are produced in vivo
at levels proportional to the frequency of specific memory B cells, even several years after
antigenic stimulation. Although antigen boosting leads to a transient increase in specific …
Production of antibodies can last for a lifetime, through mechanisms that remain poorly understood. Here, we show that human memory B lymphocytes proliferate and differentiate into plasma cells in response to polyclonal stimuli, such as bystander T cell help and CpG DNA. Furthermore, plasma cells secreting antibodies to recall antigens are produced in vivo at levels proportional to the frequency of specific memory B cells, even several years after antigenic stimulation. Although antigen boosting leads to a transient increase in specific antibody levels, ongoing polyclonal activation of memory B cells offers a means to maintain serological memory for a human lifetime.
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