Long-lived plasma cell

Long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) are a distinct subset of plasma cells that play a crucial role in maintaining humoral memory and long-term immunity.[1] They continuously produce and secrete high-affinity antibodies into the bloodstream, conversely to memory B cells, which are quiescent and respond quickly to antigens upon recall.[2]

Initially, it was believed that memory B cells replenish LLPCs.[1] However, allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) production through bone marrow transplantation in non-allergic individuals suggests LLPCs may be long-lived because the allergies developed without antigenic re-stimulation.[2] That led to the understanding that LLPCs are long-lived cells that contribute to the sustained production of specific antibodies[3]

  1. ^ a b Radbruch, Andreas (2006). "Competence and competition: the challenge of becoming a long-lived plasma cell". Nature Reviews Immunology. 6 (1): 741–750. doi:10.1038/nri1886. PMID 16977339. S2CID 23664563.
  2. ^ a b Lightman, Shivana M.; Utley, Adam; Lee, Kelvin P. (2019). "Survival of Long-Lived Plasma Cells (LLPC): Piecing Together the Puzzle". Frontiers in Immunology. 10: 965. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.00965. PMC 6510054. PMID 31130955.
  3. ^ Brynjolfsson, Siggeir F. (2017). "Long-lived plasma cells in human bone marrow can be either CD19+ or CD19–". Blood Advances. 1 (13): 835–838. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2017004481. PMC 5727810. PMID 29296727.