About this Research Topic
In the peripheral blood of humans, the B cell compartment can be divided into four major subsets on the basis of CD27 and IgD expression; naive/transitional (CD27-IgD+), double negative (CD27-IgD), switched memory B cells (CD27+IgD–) and unswitched memory B cells (CD27+IgD+) B cells. Switched memory B cells are of germinal center origin and include isotype-switched IgG, IgA, IgE and the pre-switched IgM+ only cells, whereas unswitched memory are antigen experienced B cells expressing IgM+IgD+ or the smaller subset of IgD+ only (IgM-). The unswitched memory B cell population in the literature has alternative names including ‘non-switched memory’ or ‘circulating marginal zone’ (or marginal zone-like) B cells in humans.
While the ability of switched memory B cells to contribute to responses during recurrent viral infection has been demonstrated, the origin and contribution of unswitched memory B cells to humoral immunity remains controversial. Furthermore, additional work needs to be done to parse out the potential involvement of unswitched memory B cells in differentiation to autoreactive plasma cells during autoimmune disease. This research topic aims to highlight novel roles of unswitched memory B cells in autoimmunity and viral infection, as well as, stimulate thoughtful discussion on the origin and fate of unswitched memory B cells.
Specific themes to be addressed (but are not limited to) include:
• Studies on the origin of the unswitched memory B cell population in autoimmune disease or viral infection such as mechanisms governing the differentiation of a naive or intermediate B cell into an unswitched memory B cell
• Studies on the stability of the unswitched memory population over time (participation in memory recall response in germinal centers or contribution to the plasma cell pool)
• Evaluation of the BCR repertoire (gene usage, clonality) and monoclonal antibodies derived from the unswitched memory B cell population in autoimmune disease (autoreactivity) or viral infection (neutralization) and any cross-reactivity noted
• Delineation of subsets with the unswitched memory population including development of IgD+ (IgM-) only cell type and examination of BCR autoreactivity of this subset with potential pathogenic contribution to disease
• Phenotypic, functional and repertoire comparison of unswitched memory B cell with IgM+(IgD-) only switched memory B cells
• Examination of the functional role of unswitched memory B cells beyond antibody production (cytokine production, T cell activation, antigen presentation)
While the ability of switched memory B cells to contribute to responses during recurrent viral infection has been demonstrated, the origin and contribution of unswitched memory B cells to humoral immunity remains controversial. Furthermore, additional work needs to be done to parse out the potential involvement of unswitched memory B cells in differentiation to autoreactive plasma cells during autoimmune disease. This research topic aims to highlight novel roles of unswitched memory B cells in autoimmunity and viral infection, as well as, stimulate thoughtful discussion on the origin and fate of unswitched memory B cells.
Specific themes to be addressed (but are not limited to) include:
• Studies on the origin of the unswitched memory B cell population in autoimmune disease or viral infection such as mechanisms governing the differentiation of a naive or intermediate B cell into an unswitched memory B cell
• Studies on the stability of the unswitched memory population over time (participation in memory recall response in germinal centers or contribution to the plasma cell pool)
• Evaluation of the BCR repertoire (gene usage, clonality) and monoclonal antibodies derived from the unswitched memory B cell population in autoimmune disease (autoreactivity) or viral infection (neutralization) and any cross-reactivity noted
• Delineation of subsets with the unswitched memory population including development of IgD+ (IgM-) only cell type and examination of BCR autoreactivity of this subset with potential pathogenic contribution to disease
• Phenotypic, functional and repertoire comparison of unswitched memory B cell with IgM+(IgD-) only switched memory B cells
• Examination of the functional role of unswitched memory B cells beyond antibody production (cytokine production, T cell activation, antigen presentation)
Keywords: Unswitched memory, marginal zone, B cells, viral infection, autoimmune disease
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
