[PDF][PDF] Fluorescent in vivo detection reveals that IgE+ B cells are restrained by an intrinsic cell fate predisposition

Z Yang, BM Sullivan, CDC Allen - Immunity, 2012 - cell.com
Z Yang, BM Sullivan, CDC Allen
Immunity, 2012cell.com
IgE antibodies may be protective in parasite immunity, but their aberrant production can lead
to allergic disease and life-threatening anaphylaxis. Despite the importance of IgE
regulation, few studies have directly examined the B cells that express IgE, because these
cells are rare and difficult to detect. Here, we describe fluorescent IgE reporter mice and
validate a flow cytometry procedure to allow sensitive and specific identification of IgE-
expressing B cells in vivo. Similar to IgG1+ cells, IgE+ B cells differentiated into germinal …
Summary
IgE antibodies may be protective in parasite immunity, but their aberrant production can lead to allergic disease and life-threatening anaphylaxis. Despite the importance of IgE regulation, few studies have directly examined the B cells that express IgE, because these cells are rare and difficult to detect. Here, we describe fluorescent IgE reporter mice and validate a flow cytometry procedure to allow sensitive and specific identification of IgE-expressing B cells in vivo. Similar to IgG1+ cells, IgE+ B cells differentiated into germinal center (GC) B cells and plasma cells (PCs) during primary immune responses to a T cell-dependent hapten-protein conjugate and the helminth Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. However, the participation of IgE+ B cells in GCs was transient. IgE+ B cells had an atypical propensity to upregulate the transcription factor Blimp-1 and undergo PC differentiation. Most IgE+ PCs were short lived and showed reduced affinity maturation, revealing intrinsic mechanisms that restrict the IgE antibody response.
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