CD27 is not an ideal marker for human memory B cells and can be modulated by IL-21 upon stimulated by Anti-CD40

• Published in: Scientific reports 2024-10, Vol.14 (1), p.23742-11, Article 23742
• Main Authors: Kang, Shuangpeng, Wu, Qiongli, Shen, Juan, Wu, Changyou
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 631/250/1619/40; 631/250/1619/40/1742; 631/250/1619/40/1906; 631/250/1619/40/1907; B-Lymphocytes - drug effects; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; B-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Biomarkers; Blood; CD27; CD27 antigen; CD40 antigen; CD40 Antigens - metabolism; Cell activation; Cytokines; Humanities and Social Sciences; Humans; IL-21; Immune response (humoral); Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin A - immunology; Immunoglobulin A - metabolism; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin G - immunology; Immunologic Memory - drug effects; Immunological memory; Interleukin 21; Interleukins - metabolism; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - drug effects; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Lymphocyte Activation - drug effects; Lymphocytes B; Memory B cells; Memory B Cells - immunology; Memory B Cells - metabolism; Memory cells; multidisciplinary; Palatine Tonsil - cytology; Palatine Tonsil - immunology; Palatine Tonsil - metabolism; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); TGF-β; Tonsil; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 - metabolism; Transforming growth factor-b1; Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 - metabolism
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-75636-2

B cells play a key role in humoral immune responses by producing antibodies. Although there are numerous research on memory B cells definition markers and cytokines on B cell development, different studies have yielded contradictory conclusions due to species studied, the different cells and stimulating agents used. In the current study, we conducted a detailed characterization of B cells in human CBMCs, PBMCs and tonsil, including expression of Igs, activation and memory markers. Furthermore, we found that considerable amounts of IgA and IgG were expressed by CD27 − B cells. These “Atypical” memory B cells corresponded to approximately 50% of IgG + and IgA + B cells in blood, this proportion even reached 90% in tonsil. In addition, we investigated the effect of IL-21 and TGF-β1 on the membrane-bound form and secreted form of Igs using PBMCs and purified blood B cells. There were actual differences between the effect of cytokines on Igs secretion and surface expression. Our study will be helpful to advance the knowledge and understanding of humoral memory.