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Insights From Analysis of Human Antigen-Specific Memory B Cell Repertoires

2019; Frontiers Media; Volume: 9; Linguagem: Inglês

10.3389/fimmu.2018.03064

1664-3224

Hemangi B. Shah, Kenneth G. C. Smith, Jonathan D. Wren, Carol F. Webb, Jimmy D. Ballard, Rebecka L. Bourn, Judith A. James, Mark L. Lang,

Immunotherapy and Immune Responses

Memory B cells that are generated during an infection or following vaccination act as sentinels to guard against future infections. Upon repeat antigen exposure memory B cells differentiate into new antibody-secreting plasma cells to provide rapid and sustained protection. Some pathogens evade or suppress the humoral immune system, or induce memory B cells with a diminished ability to differentiate into new plasma cells. This leaves the host vulnerable to chronic or recurrent infections. Single cell approaches coupled with next generation antibody gene sequencing facilitate a detailed analysis of the pathogen-specific memory B cell repertoire. Monoclonal antibodies that are generated from antibody gene sequences allow a functional analysis of the repertoire. This review discusses what has been learned thus far from analysis of diverse pathogen-specific memory B cell compartments and describes major differences in their repertoires. Such information may illuminate ways to advance the goal of improving vaccine and therapeutic antibody design.