Cell Reports (Dec 2023)

CD62L expression marks a functionally distinct subset of memory B cells

  • Christopher H. Hanson,
  • Brittany Henry,
  • Pradhnesh Andhare,
  • Frank J. Lin,
  • Haley Pak,
  • Jackson S. Turner,
  • Lucas J. Adams,
  • Tom Liu,
  • Daved H. Fremont,
  • Ali H. Ellebedy,
  • Brian J. Laidlaw

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 42, no. 12
p. 113542

Abstract

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Summary: The memory B cell response consists of phenotypically distinct subsets that differ in their ability to respond upon antigen re-encounter. However, the pathways regulating the development and function of memory B cell subsets are poorly understood. Here, we show that CD62L and CD44 are progressively expressed on mouse memory B cells and identify transcriptionally and functionally distinct memory B cell subsets. Bcl6 is important in regulating memory B cell subset differentiation with overexpression of Bcl6 resulting in impaired CD62L+ memory B cell development. Bcl6 regulates memory B cell subset development through control of a network of genes, including Bcl2 and Zeb2. Overexpression of Zeb2 impairs the development of CD62L+ memory B cells. Importantly, CD62L is also differentially expressed on human memory B cells following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination and identifies phenotypically distinct populations. Together, these data indicate that CD62L expression marks functionally distinct memory B cell subsets.

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