Abstract
Humoral immunity is mainly mediated by a B cell population highly specialized to synthesize and secrete large quantities of antibodies – the antibody-secreting cells (ASC). In the gastrointestinal environment, a mixture of foreign antigens from the diet, commensal microbiota as well as occasional harmful pathogens lead to a constant differentiation of B cells into ASC. Due to this permanent immune response, more than 80% of mammalian ASC reside in the gut, of which most express immunoglobulin A (IgA). IgA antibodies contribute to intestinal homeostasis and can mediate protective immunity. Recent evidence points at a role for gut-derived ASC in modulating immune responses also outside of mucosal tissues. We here summarize recent evidence for wandering ASC, their antibodies and their involvement in systemic immune responses.
Highlights
Differentiation of Gut-Derived immunoglobulin A (IgA) Plasma CellsHumoral immunity is mediated by a B cell population highly specialized to synthesize and secrete large quantities of antibodies – the antibody-secreting cells (ASC)
We focus on “sightings” of IgA ASC, their contribution to systemic immune responses as well as open questions and possible future developments
In this Mini Review, we sum up recent evidence that IgA ASC potentially travel from the lamina propria (LP) through the blood to the bone marrow (BM) but can be found in the kidney and central nervous system (CNS) (Figure 1)
Summary
Differentiation of Gut-Derived IgA Plasma CellsHumoral immunity is mediated by a B cell population highly specialized to synthesize and secrete large quantities of antibodies – the antibody-secreting cells (ASC). Recent developments point at the fact that IgA secreting PC in the intestine are highly mutated in aged mice and humans [23, 24], which argues for a need of a TD response to generate sophisticated antibodies [reviewed in [25]]. Recent evidence points at a role for gut-derived ASC in modulating immune responses outside of mucosal tissues, such as in the blood, the kidney, or the central nervous system (CNS).
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