Role of tonsillar IgD+CD27+ memory B cells in humoral immunity against pneumococcal infection

Hum Immunol. 2006 Dec;67(12):966-75. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2006.10.008. Epub 2006 Oct 30.

Abstract

IgD+CD27+ memory B cells are a major compartment of circulating memory B cells. However, the characteristics of these cells in the tonsils have been unclear. In this study, IgD+CD27+ memory B cells residing in the tonsillar marginal zone were found to exhibit similar characteristics as IgD+CD27+ memory B cells in the periphery, namely large morphology, expression of surface molecules, and hypermutated Ig variable region genes. Furthermore, these IgD+CD27+ memory B cells predominantly produced IgM, including IgM specific against pneumococcal polysaccharides. Taken together, these results provide convincing evidence that tonsillar IgD+CD27+ memory B cells impart protective humoral immunity against pneumococcal infection by producing high-affinity IgM.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antibody Affinity / immunology
  • Antibody Formation*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin D / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin D / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin M / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Palatine Tonsil / immunology*
  • Palatine Tonsil / metabolism
  • Pneumococcal Infections / immunology*
  • Pneumococcal Infections / metabolism
  • Somatic Hypermutation, Immunoglobulin / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / immunology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin D
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7