JEM关键蛋白,记忆B细胞 z-bo 2020-11-02 542

　　The latest research by scientists from the Francis Crick Institute in the Journal of Experimental Medicine shows that signals from two key proteins are essential for the survival of our "immune memory".

　　Memory B cells are long-lived cells that can confer immune memory by providing a fast and powerful antibody response to infections we have been exposed to before. Their longevity is the key to protecting us from infection for a long time, sometimes even a lifetime. However, little is known about how these cells survive.

　　Researchers studied the survival of mouse immune cells in great detail. Using a technique called induced genetic knockout, they can generate a population of memory B cells and then delete specific target proteins to understand their role in keeping cells alive.

　　They found that two cell surface proteins called BCR and BAFFR and the signals from these proteins are essential for the survival of memory B cells.

　　When these proteins are deleted or blocked experimentally, the secondary immune response to the model antigen or virus infection will be impaired. Without the signals of these key proteins, immune memory will be impaired, and the immune system will not be able to recall and respond to previous responses to its infection.

　　Jennifer Müller-Winkler, the first author and guest scientist of immune cell biology, said: "The survival requirements of memory B cells that we have established are very similar to those of naive B cells that have not been exposed to the antigen. This means two types of Immune cells may compete for the same survival signals, and may explain why we have also discovered key survival sites for memory B cells in the spleen and bone marrow."

　　This understanding of immune cell survival may help in the development of future vaccines and the treatment of immune system diseases, such as autoimmunity.

　　"As the whole world is waiting to understand how long immunity to SARS-CoV-2 will last and how effective the vaccine may be, it is clear that there is more knowledge about the factors that determine the lifespan of immune memory." Said Victor Tybulewicz, lead author and team leader of the Crick Immune Cell Biology Laboratory.

　　"Our research focuses on a few key proteins. There may be many other factors that affect the duration of our immune memory. As our understanding of this memory continues to deepen, we can better respond to various infections. Provide information on the design and production of vaccines and treatments."