IgM and IgM memory B cells represent heterogeneous populations capable of producing class-switched antibodies and germinal center B cells upon rechallenge with P. yoelii.

Memory B cells (MBCs) are essential for maintaining long-term humoral immunity to infectious organisms, including Plasmodium. MBCs are a heterogeneous population whose function can be dictated by isotype or expression of particular surface proteins. Here, aided by antigen-specific B-cell tetramers, MBC populations were evaluated to discern their phenotype and function in response to infection with a nonlethal strain of P.

The i-Motif as a Molecular Target: More Than a Complementary DNA Secondary Structure.

Stretches of cytosine-rich DNA are capable of adopting a dynamic secondary structure, the i-motif. When within promoter regions, the i-motif has the potential to act as a molecular switch for controlling gene expression. However, i-motif structures in genomic areas of repetitive nucleotide sequences may play a role in facilitating or hindering expansion of these DNA elements.

NK1.1 Expression Defines a Population of CD4 Effector T Cells Displaying Th1 and Tfh Cell Properties That Support Early Antibody Production During Infection.

Early plasmablast induction is a hallmark of infection and is thought to contribute to the control of acute parasite burden. Although long understood to be a T-cell dependent phenomenon, regulation of early plasmablast differentiation, however, is poorly understood. Here, we identify a population of CD4 T cells that express the innate NK cell marker NK1.

IL-17 Promotes Differentiation of Splenic LSK Lymphoid Progenitors into B Cells following Infection.

LineageSca-1c-Kit (LSK) cells are a lymphoid progenitor population that expands in the spleen and preferentially differentiates into mature B cells in response to infection in mice. Furthermore, LSK derived B cells can subsequently contribute to the ongoing immune response through the generation of parasite-specific Ab-secreting cells, as well as germinal center and memory B cells. However, the factors that promote their differentiation into B cells in the spleen postinfection are not defined.