Resolving the fetal to adult switch in B lymphopoiesis at the single cell level

In mice and men, a developmental switch takes place in immune cell output early in life. This is likely designed to accommodate the unique demands of tolerance both in utero and during neonatal exposure to environmental antigens, while providing protection against common pathogens. In the murine B cell lineage, the output of B-1 cells is predominant in utero and diminishes within weeks after birth in favor of conventional follicular B-2 cells. B-1 cells constitute a non-redundant aspect of the immune repertoire that controls infection and inflammation through T-independent secretion of natural antibodies and IL-10.

Source: Experimental Hematology - August 22, 2017 Category: Hematology Authors: Joan Yuan, Trine Kristiansen, Stijn Vanhee, Elin Jaensson-Gyllenb äck, Alya Zriwil, Alexander Doyle, Ewa Sitnicka Quinn, Stefan Lang, Shamit Soneji, David Bryder Source Type: research