scholarly journals Optimisation of ex vivo memory B cell expansion/differentiation for interrogation of rare peripheral memory B cell subset responses

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Muir ◽  
Paul F. McKay ◽  
Velislava N. Petrova ◽  
Oleksiy V. Klymenko ◽  
Sven Kratochvil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Expansion ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Human Memory ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Memory B Cell ◽  
B Cell Subsets

Background:Human memory B cells play a vital role in the long-term protection of the host from pathogenic re-challenge. In recent years the importance of a number of different memory B cell subsets that can be formed in response to vaccination or infection has started to become clear. To study memory B cell responses, cells can be culturedex vivo,allowing for an increase in cell number and activation of these quiescent cells, providing sufficient quantities of each memory subset to enable full investigation of functionality. However, despite numerous papers being published demonstrating bulk memory B cell culture, we could find no literature on optimised conditions for the study of memory B cell subsets, such as IgM+memory B cells.Methods:Following a literature review, we carried out a large screen of memory B cell expansion conditions to identify the combination that induced the highest levels of memory B cell expansion. We subsequently used a novel Design of Experiments approach to finely tune the optimal memory B cell expansion and differentiation conditions for human memory B cell subsets. Finally, we characterised the resultant memory B cell subpopulations by IgH sequencing and flow cytometry.Results:The application of specific optimised conditions induce multiple rounds of memory B cell proliferation equally across Ig isotypes, differentiation of memory B cells to antibody secreting cells, and importantly do not alter the Ig genotype of the stimulated cells. Conclusions:Overall, our data identify a memory B cell culture system that offers a robust platform for investigating the functionality of rare memory B cell subsets to infection and/or vaccination.

scholarly journals Optimisation of ex vivo memory B cell expansion/differentiation for interrogation of rare peripheral memory B cell subset responses

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Muir ◽  
Paul F. McKay ◽  
Velislava N. Petrova ◽  
Oleksiy V. Klymenko ◽  
Sven Kratochvil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Culture ◽  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Expansion ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Human Memory ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Memory B Cell ◽  
B Cell Subsets

Background:Human memory B cells play a vital role in the long-term protection of the host from pathogenic re-challenge. In recent years the importance of a number of different memory B cell subsets that can be formed in response to vaccination or infection has started to become clear. To study memory B cell responses, cells can be culturedex vivo,allowing for an increase in cell number and activation of these quiescent cells, providing sufficient quantities of each memory subset to enable full investigation of functionality. However, despite numerous papers being published demonstrating bulk memory B cell culture, we could find no literature on optimised conditions for the study of memory B cell subsets, such as IgM+memory B cells.Methods:Following a literature review, we carried out a large screen of memory B cell expansion conditions to identify the combination that induced the highest levels of memory B cell expansion. We subsequently used a novel Design of Experiments approach to finely tune the optimal memory B cell expansion and differentiation conditions for human memory B cell subsets. Finally, we characterised the resultant memory B cell subpopulations by IgH sequencing and flow cytometry.Results:The application of specific optimised conditions induce multiple rounds of memory B cell proliferation equally across Ig isotypes, differentiation of memory B cells to antibody secreting cells, and importantly do not alter the Ig genotype of the stimulated cells. Conclusions:Overall, our data identify a memory B cell culture system that offers a robust platform for investigating the functionality of rare memory B cell subsets to infection and/or vaccination.

scholarly journals Recovery of Memory B-cell Subsets and Persistence of Antibodies in Convalescent COVID-19 Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anuradha Rajamanickam ◽  
Nathella Pavan Kumar ◽  
Arul Nancy P ◽  
Nandhini Selvaraj ◽  
Saravanan Munisankar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Memory B Cell ◽  
Immature B Cells ◽  
B Cell Subsets

It is essential to examine the longevity of the defensive immune response engendered by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We examined the SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses and ex vivo memory B-cell subsets in seven groups of individuals with COVID-19 classified based on days since reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our data showed that the levels of IgG and neutralizing antibodies started increasing from days 15 to 30 to days 61 to 90, and plateaued thereafter. The frequencies of naive B cells and atypical memory B cells decreased from days 15 to 30 to days 61 to 90, and plateaued thereafter. In contrast, the frequencies of immature B cells, classical memory B cells, activated memory B cells, and plasma cells increased from days 15 to 30 to days 61 to 90, and plateaued thereafter. Patients with severe COVID-19 exhibited increased frequencies of naive cells, atypical memory B cells, and activated memory B cells, and lower frequencies of immature B cells, central memory B cells, and plasma cells when compared with patients with mild COVID-19. Therefore, our data suggest modifications in memory B-cell subset frequencies and persistence of humoral immunity in convalescent individuals with COVID-19.

scholarly journals Complexity of the human memory B-cell compartment is determined by the versatility of clonal diversification in germinal centers

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (38) ◽  
pp. E5281-E5289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bettina Budeus ◽  
Stefanie Schweigle de Reynoso ◽  
Martina Przekopowitz ◽  
Daniel Hoffmann ◽  
Marc Seifert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Clone ◽  
Human Memory ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Cell Compartment ◽  
Memory B Cell ◽  
Cell Clones ◽  
B Cell Subsets

Our knowledge about the clonal composition and intraclonal diversity of the human memory B-cell compartment and the relationship between memory B-cell subsets is still limited, although these are central issues for our understanding of adaptive immunity. We performed a deep sequencing analysis of rearranged immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain genes from biological replicates, covering more than 100,000 memory B lymphocytes from two healthy adults. We reveal a highly similar B-cell receptor repertoire among the four main human IgM+ and IgG+ memory B-cell subsets. Strikingly, in both donors, 45% of sequences could be assigned to expanded clones, demonstrating that the human memory B-cell compartment is characterized by many, often very large, B-cell clones. Twenty percent of the clones consisted of class switched and IgM+(IgD+) members, a feature that correlated significantly with clone size. Hence, we provide strong evidence that the vast majority of Ig mutated B cells—including IgM+IgD+CD27+ B cells—are post-germinal center (GC) memory B cells. Clone members showed high intraclonal sequence diversity and high intraclonal versatility in Ig class and IgG subclass composition, with particular patterns of memory B-cell clone generation in GC reactions. In conclusion, GC produce amazingly large, complex, and diverse memory B-cell clones, equipping the human immune system with a versatile and highly diverse compartment of IgM+(IgD+) and class-switched memory B cells.

scholarly journals Human memory B cells originate from three distinct germinal center-dependent and -independent maturation pathways

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (8) ◽  
pp. 2150-2158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena A. Berkowska ◽  
Gertjan J. A. Driessen ◽  
Vasilis Bikos ◽  
Christina Grosserichter-Wagener ◽  
Kostas Stamatopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Germinal Center ◽  
Somatic Hypermutation ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Human Memory ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Memory B Cell ◽  
Effector Cells ◽  
B Cell Subsets

Abstract Multiple distinct memory B-cell subsets have been identified in humans, but it remains unclear how their phenotypic diversity corresponds to the type of responses from which they originate. Especially, the contribution of germinal center-independent responses in humans remains controversial. We defined 6 memory B-cell subsets based on their antigen-experienced phenotype and differential expression of CD27 and IgH isotypes. Molecular characterization of their replication history, Ig somatic hypermutation, and class-switch profiles demonstrated their origin from 3 different pathways. CD27−IgG+ and CD27+IgM+ B cells are derived from primary germinal center reactions, and CD27+IgA+ and CD27+IgG+ B cells are from consecutive germinal center responses (pathway 1). In contrast, natural effector and CD27−IgA+ memory B cells have limited proliferation and are also present in CD40L-deficient patients, reflecting a germinal center-independent origin. Natural effector cells at least in part originate from systemic responses in the splenic marginal zone (pathway 2). CD27−IgA+ cells share low replication history and dominant Igλ and IgA2 use with gut lamina propria IgA+ B cells, suggesting their common origin from local germinal center-independent responses (pathway 3). Our findings shed light on human germinal center-dependent and -independent B-cell memory formation and provide new opportunities to study these processes in immunologic diseases.

A role for Toll-like receptors in acquired immunity: up-regulation of TLR9 by BCR triggering in naive B cells and constitutive expression in memory B cells

Blood ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 101 (11) ◽  
pp. 4500-4504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia L. Bernasconi ◽  
Nobuyuki Onai ◽  
Antonio Lanzavecchia
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Constitutive Expression ◽  
Human Memory ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Primary Response ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Toll Like Receptors ◽  
Polyclonal Activation ◽  
B Cell Subsets

Abstract Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors that trigger innate immunity. In this study we investigated the expression of 10 TLRs in human naive and memory B-cell subsets. We report that in human naive B cells most TLRs are expressed at low to undetectable levels, but the expression of TLR9 and TLR10 is rapidly induced following B-cell-receptor (BCR) triggering. In contrast, memory B cells express several TLRs at constitutively high levels. The differential expression of TLR9 correlates with responsiveness to its agonist, CpG DNA. Thus, human memory B cells proliferate and differentiate to immunoglobulin (Ig)–secreting cells in response to CpG, while naive B do so only if simultaneously triggered through the BCR. The BCR-induced expression of TLRs in human naive B cells prevents polyclonal activation in a primary response, because it restricts stimulation to antigen-specific B cells. In contrast, the constitutive expression of TLRs in memory B cells allows polyclonal activation of the entire memory pool. Thus, in human B cells TLRs are downstream of BCR and play a role both in the primary response and in the memory phase.

Impact of Autologous Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy (Arcelis™) on B Cell Subsets in HIV-1-Infected Subjects Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 80-80
Author(s):  
Mohamed-Rachid Boulassel ◽  
Bader Yassine-Diab ◽  
Don Healey ◽  
Charles Nicolette ◽  
Rafick-Pierre Sékaly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Cd8 T Cell ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
B Cell Subsets ◽  
Hiv 1

Abstract We demonstrated the enhancement of CD8-specific responses following the administration of an immune-based therapy consisting of dendritic cells (DC) electroporated with autologous amplified HIV-1 RNA and CD40 ligand (CD40 L) RNA manufactured by the Arcelis™ process in HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). We conducted a sub study on circulating B cell populations to further assess changes induced by this autologous DC therapy as CD40L is a major B cell co-stimulatory factor. To this end, we assessed B cell subset changes in relation to the proliferative capacity of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells response to DC targets containing the 4 HIV-1 antigens (Gag, Vpr, Rev, Nef). The co-expression of CD19, CD38, IgD, CD10, CD23, CD27, CD5, and CD138 were analyzed by multi-parametric flow cytometry to assess circulating B cell subsets such as naïve resting B-cells (Bm1), activated naïve B cells (Bm2), GC founder cells (Bm2’), centroblasts and centrocytes (Bm3 and Bm4), early memory B cells (eBm5), memory B cells (Bm5), IgD memory cells, plasma cells, and B-1 cells. Changes in B cells subsets were analyzed before and after the four intradermal injections of this immunotherapeutic product containing 1.2 × 107 DC. Ten ART treated subjects with undetectable viral load (< 50 copies/ml), median CD4+ count of 440 cells/μl (range: 316–1102), and with a CD4+ nadir > 200 cells/μl were studied. Throughout the study, no significant changes in CD4+ cell count, CD4/CD8 ratio, and no viral blips were noticed. The percentage of total B cells, Bm1, Bm2, Bm2′, eBm5, IgD memory, plasma cells, and B-1 cell subsets did not significantly change. However, a decrease in the percentage of Bm3 and Bm4 cells was found (0.36 [0.06–0.86] versus 0.11 [0.04–0.36]; P=0.05). Conversely, an important increase in the Bm5 cell subset was evidenced (10.4 [1.6–24.2] versus 18.1 [5.1–27.5]; P=0.005) suggesting a proliferation of B memory cells induced by DC immunization. In addition, the multifunctional and polyvalent CD8+ T cell proliferative responses to the 4 HIV genes used in this immunotherapy were noticed in 8 out of 9 subjects available for analysis and characterized by an effector memory phenotype. No CD4+ T cell immune responses were detected, consistent with the endogenous HLA class I loading of the antigens. Collectively, these results indicate that this immunotherapy induces an increase in the B memory cell population in the absence of inducing any clinically apparent autoimmunity along with strong HIV specific multifunctional CD8+ T cell specific immune responses.

scholarly journals Jo-1 autoantigen-specific B cells are skewed towards distinct functional B cell subsets in anti-synthetase syndrome patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Young-Glazer ◽  
Alberto Cisneros ◽  
Erin M. Wilfong ◽  
Scott A. Smith ◽  
Leslie J. Crofford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Trna Synthetase ◽  
B Cell Subsets ◽  
Antibody Secreting Cells

Abstract Background Anti-Jo-1 autoantibodies which recognize histidyl-tRNA synthetase identify patients with the rare rheumatologic disease, anti-histidyl-tRNA synthetase syndrome (Jo-1 ARS), a phenotypically distinct subset of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Jo-1-binding B cells (JBCs) are implicated in disease pathogenesis, yet they have not been studied directly. We therefore aimed to characterize JBCs to better understand how they expand and function in Jo-1 ARS. Methods We enrolled 10 IIM patients diagnosed with Jo-1 ARS, 4 patients with non-Jo-1 IIM, and 8 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We phenotypically characterized peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) ex vivo using flow cytometry to define the B cell subsets in which JBCs reside. We further tested their ability to differentiate into antibody-secreting cells following stimulation in vitro. Results The majority of JBCs were IgM+ (not class-switched). Compared to non-JBCs in the same donors, JBCs contained a higher percentage of autoimmune-prone CD21lo cells and were increased in the CD21lo IgM+ IgD− CD27+ memory subset relative to healthy donor B cells. Whereas non-JBCs were present in the anergic BND B cell subset, JBCs were nearly absent from this compartment. JBCs were detected among plasmablasts in some donors, but a reduced frequency of JBCs differentiated into CD38hi24− plasmablasts compared to non-JBCs present in the same wells following in vitro stimulation. Conclusions JBCs are enriched for autoimmune-prone CD21lo B cells, some of which exhibit a memory phenotype in the peripheral repertoire of Jo-1 ARS patients. JBCs undergo limited class switch and show reduced capacity to differentiate into antibody-secreting cells. This suggests complex B cell biology exists beyond class-switched cells that differentiate to secrete anti-Jo-1 autoantibody (i.e., what is captured through serum autoantibody studies). New Jo-1 ARS therapies should thus ideally target non-class-switched JBCs in addition to those that have undergone IgG class-switching to most effectively block cross-talk with autoreactive T cells.

scholarly journals New markers for murine memory B cells that define mutated and unmutated subsets

2007 ◽  
Vol 204 (9) ◽  
pp. 2103-2114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon M. Anderson ◽  
Mary M. Tomayko ◽  
Anupama Ahuja ◽  
Ann M. Haberman ◽  
Mark J. Shlomchik
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Memory Cells ◽  
Pulse Label ◽  
Memory B Cell ◽  
Specific Memory ◽  
V Region ◽  
Different Origins

The study of murine memory B cells has been limited by small cell numbers and the lack of a definitive marker. We have addressed some of these difficulties with hapten-specific transgenic (Tg) mouse models that yield relatively large numbers of antigen-specific memory B cells upon immunization. Using these models, along with a 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse-label strategy, we compared memory cells to their naive precursors in a comprehensive flow cytometric survey, thus revealing several new murine memory B cell markers. Most interestingly, memory cells were phenotypically heterogeneous. Particularly surprising was the finding of an unmutated memory B cell subset identified by the expression of CD80 and CD35. We confirmed these findings in an analogous V region knock-in mouse and/or in non-Tg mice. There also was anatomic heterogeneity, with BrdU+ memory cells residing not just in the marginal zone, as had been thought, but also in splenic follicles. These studies impact the current understanding of murine memory B cells by identifying new phenotypes and by challenging assumptions about the location and V region mutation status of memory cells. The apparent heterogeneity in the memory compartment implies either different origins and/or different functions, which we discuss.

High-Throughput Ig Sequencing of Paired Blood and Spleen Samples Allows a Redefinition of Memory IgM Subsets in Humans

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 565-565
Author(s):  
Davide Bagnara ◽  
Margherita Squillario ◽  
David Kipling ◽  
Thierry Mora ◽  
Aleksandra Walczak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Germinal Center ◽  
Marginal Zone ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Double Negative ◽  
Marginal Zone B Cells ◽  
B Cell Subsets

Abstract In humans, whether B cells with the IgM+IgD+CD27+ phenotype represent an independent lineage involved in T-independent responses, similar to mouse marginal zone B cells, or whether they are part of the germinal center-derived memory B-cell pool generated during responses to T-dependent antigens, is still a debated issue. To address this question, we performed high-throughput Ig sequencing of B-cell subsets from paired blood and spleen samples and analyzed the clonal relationships between them. We isolated and analyzed 3 different B cell subsets based on CD27 and IgD staining from both blood and spleen: IgD+CD27+ (MZ) - amplified with Cmu primers IgD-CD27+ (switched and IgM-only) with Cmu, Cgamma and Calpha primers IgD-CD27- (CD27- memory or double-negative DN) with the same three primers We obtained 95729 unique sequences that clustered in 49199 different clones: 1125 clones were shared between blood and spleen of the same B-cell subset, and 1681 clones were shared between different subsets, allowing us to trace their relationships. We analyzed these clones that share sequences from different subsets/tissues for their mutation frequency distribution, CDR3-length, and VH/JH family usage, and compared these different characteristics with the bulk of sequences from their respective subset of origin. The analysis of clones shared between blood and spleen for switched IgG/IgA and for MZ subsets suggests different recirculation dynamics. For switched cells, the blood appears to be a mixture of splenic and other lymphoid tissues B cells. For MZ B cells in contrast, the blood appear to be only composed of a subgroup of the splenic repertoire, in agreement with the observation that marginal zone B cells recirculate and are mainly generated in the spleen. Clonal relationships between the IgM clones (originating from the MZ, IgM-only and double negative compartments) show that the clones involved display the characteristics of IgM-only B cells whatever their subset of origin, even in the case of the paired MZ/double-negative sequences that were not supposed to include IgM-only sequences. We therefore conclude that the clones shared between the various IgM subsets do not represent b between them, but rather correspond to a heterogeneous phenotype of the IgM-only population that concerns both IgD and CD27 expression, leading to a partial overlap with the MZ and double-negative gates. Clones shared between the MZ and the switched IgG and IgA compartment also show, for their IgM part, the mutation and repertoire characteristics of IgM-only cells and not of MZ B cells, reinforcing the conclusion that IgM-only are true memory B cells, and constitute the only subset showing clonal relationships with switched memory B cells. In summary, we report that MZ B cells have different recirculation characteristics and do not show real clonal relationships with IgM-only and switched memory B cells, in agreement with the notion that they represent a distinct differentiation pathway. In contrast, the only precursor-product relationship between IgM memory and switched B cells appear to concern a B cell subset that has been described as "IgM-only", but appears to have a more heterogeneous expression of IgD than previously reported and therefore contribute to 3-15% of the MZ compartment. Searching for markers that would permit to discriminate between marginal zone and germinal center-derived IgM memory B cells is obviously required to further delineate their respective function. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Follicular Lymphoma-Like B-Cells in Healthy Individuals: A Novel Intermediate Step in Early Lymphomagenesis.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 821-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandrine Roulland ◽  
Jean-marc Navarro ◽  
Pierre Grenot ◽  
Michele Milili ◽  
Julie Agopian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
Follicular Lymphoma ◽  
B Cell ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Intermediate Step ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Memory B Cell ◽  
B Cell Subsets

Abstract Follicular lymphoma (FL) is one of the most common B-cell lymphoma, and remains virtually incurable despite its relatively indolent nature. T(14;18)(q32;q21), the genetic hallmark and early initiating event of FL pathogenesis, is also present at low frequency (10−5–10−7) in blood from healthy individuals (HI), indicating that t(14;18) and the ensuing BCL2 overexpression is necessary but not sufficient for malignant transformation. It has long been assumed that in HI, t(14;18) is carried by circulating quiescent naïve B-cells, where its oncogenic potential would be restrained. Yet, several reports, including long-term persistence and immunomodulation of t(14;18)+ cells in lymphoma-free individuals, led us to question this model and investigate the status of circulating t(14;18)+ cells in HI. We first determined if t(14;18)+ cells are naïve B-cells by assessing class-switch recombination (CSR) on the translocated allele. Using 2 long-range PCR assays designed to amplify unswitched BCL2/Sμ and switched BCL2/Sg regions, DNA samples from 6 HI with t(14;18) were tested. Contrary to previous assumptions, our data clearly show that most peripheral t(14;18)+ cells already underwent CSR (n=5/6) and therefore that most t(14;18)+ cells are not naïve B-cells. Are they then memory B cells? Naïve and memory B cell subsets from 9 HI were isolated by cell sorting according to IgD and CD27 markers, and the rate of t(14;18) analyzed in each subset relatively to that of the total B cells. Strikingly, while the level of naïve t(14;18)+ cells remained at baseline for all individuals, memory B-cells tightly accounted for the wide modulation of t(14;18) frequencies observed between individuals. In addition, sequence analysis of t(14;18) clones revealed that this wide modulation was not due to the accumulation of clonally unrelated t(14;18) naïve B-cells, but rather to the clonal expansion of t(14;18)-bearing memory B-cells. To further define the t(14;18)+ cells, we next examined the repartition of the translocation in the IgD−/CD27+ and IgD+/CD27+ memory B-cell subsets. Unexpectedly, we found that the IgD+/CD27+ subset contained significantly higher rates of translocation than the IgD−/CD27+, both in terms of prevalence and frequency. Thus, while CSR is found in the majority of translocated alleles (~75%), most t(14;18)+ memory B cells have not switched their productive allele (~70%) and express an IgM/D. Most importantly, although atypical among physiological peripheral B-cells, this “allelic paradox” is a specific hallmark of FL, and suggests the presence of the same selective pressure in favor of sIgM expression on a B-cell population that is at the same time permanently driven to switch. In line with B-cell hyperplasia in BCL2 transgenic mice slowly progressing to low grade lymphoma, it is likely that “FL-like” cells in HI are rescued by BCL2 from apoptosis, and “frozen” at a differentiation stage in which constitutive AID expression drives continuous somatic hypermutation and CSR activity, two mechanisms conferring a high propensity for genomic instability. Altogether, our findings identify a novel intermediate step in early lymphomagenesis, and strongly impact both on the current understanding of disease progression from potent pre-malignant niches, and on the proper handling of t(14;18) frequency in blood as a potential early biomarker for lymphoma.

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