Making sense of plasma cell heterogeneity

David M Tarlinton; Zhoujie Ding; Julie Tellier; Stephen L Nutt

doi:10.1016/j.coi.2023.102297

Making sense of plasma cell heterogeneity

Curr Opin Immunol. 2023 Apr:81:102297. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2023.102297. Epub 2023 Mar 6.

Authors

David M Tarlinton¹, Zhoujie Ding², Julie Tellier³, Stephen L Nutt⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: david.tarlinton@monash.edu.
² Department of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
³ Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: nutt@wehi.edu.au.

PMID: 36889029
DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2023.102297

Abstract

Plasma cells (PCs) are essential for the quality and longevity of protective immunity. The canonical humoral response to vaccination involves induction of germinal centers in lymph nodes followed by maintenance by bone marrow-resident PCs, although there are many variations of this theme. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of PCs in nonlymphoid organs, including the gut, central nervous system, and skin. These sites harbor PCs with distinct isotypes and possible immunoglobulin-independent functions. Indeed, bone marrow now appears unique in housing PCs derived from multiple other organs. The mechanisms through which the bone marrow maintains PC survival long-term and the impact of their diverse origins on this process remain very active areas of research.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Bone Marrow*
Humans
Lymph Nodes
Plasma Cells*
Vaccination