New markers for murine memory B cells that define mutated and unmutated subsets

J Exp Med. 2007 Sep 3;204(9):2103-14. doi: 10.1084/jem.20062571. Epub 2007 Aug 13.

Abstract

The study of murine memory B cells has been limited by small cell numbers and the lack of a definitive marker. We have addressed some of these difficulties with hapten-specific transgenic (Tg) mouse models that yield relatively large numbers of antigen-specific memory B cells upon immunization. Using these models, along with a 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse-label strategy, we compared memory cells to their naive precursors in a comprehensive flow cytometric survey, thus revealing several new murine memory B cell markers. Most interestingly, memory cells were phenotypically heterogeneous. Particularly surprising was the finding of an unmutated memory B cell subset identified by the expression of CD80 and CD35. We confirmed these findings in an analogous V region knock-in mouse and/or in non-Tg mice. There also was anatomic heterogeneity, with BrdU(+) memory cells residing not just in the marginal zone, as had been thought, but also in splenic follicles. These studies impact the current understanding of murine memory B cells by identifying new phenotypes and by challenging assumptions about the location and V region mutation status of memory cells. The apparent heterogeneity in the memory compartment implies either different origins and/or different functions, which we discuss.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B7-1 Antigen / immunology
  • Base Sequence
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bromodeoxyuridine / metabolism
  • Cell Survival
  • DNA / biosynthesis
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Immunization
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology*
  • Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Receptors, Complement 3b / immunology
  • Selection, Genetic
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • B7-1 Antigen
  • Biomarkers
  • Receptors, Complement 3b
  • DNA
  • Bromodeoxyuridine