Intracellular competition regulates B lymphocyte differentiation

Abstract

The production of antibodies, with their potential to recognise unique targets and prevent repeat infections, is an important aspect of immune health. In order to generate free antibodies, the cells responsible, B cells, must undergo a differentiation step to transform from lymphoblast to antibody secreting cell (ASC). This differentiation step prevents further antibody modifications and hence the timing for optimal immunity requires a delicate balance between expanding useful clones and providing early protection. How differentiation is controlled to achieve this balance for an effective immune response is of great interest. In this study, the progression from naive B cells to ASC was inve..