Long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) are a distinct subset of plasma cells that play a crucial role in maintaining humoral memory and long-term immunity.[1] They continuously produce and secrete high-affinity antibodies into the bloodstream, conversely to memory B cells, which are quiescent and respond quickly to antigens upon recall.[2]
Initially, it was believed that memory B cells replenish LLPCs.[1] However, allergen-specific IgE production through bone marrow transplantation in non-allergic individuals suggests LLPCs may be long-lived. Allergies developed without antigenic re-stimulation.[2] That led to the understanding that LLPCs are long-lived cells, contributing to the sustained production of specific antibodies[3]
The niche for long-lived plasma cells is a subject of ongoing research, and while some aspects are understood, many questions remain. LLPCs are not inherently long-lived, and their survival relies on accessing specific pro-survival niches in the bone marrow (BM), secondary lymphoid organs, mucosal tissues, and sites of inflammation. The BM has traditionally been considered the primary residence for LLPCs, offering a dynamic microenvironment that supports the formation of complex niches. However, recent studies have revealed that LLPCs can also reside in other locations, such as gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), where they primarily produce IgA antibodies.[2]
Clear markers that distinguish LLPCs have yet to be fully elucidated. However, LLPCs exhibit a gene expression signature characterised by down regulating antigen presentation and B-cell receptor (BCR) function-related genes. Conversely, only a tiny number of genes are upregulated in LLPC. That includes anti-apoptotic genes such as MCL1 and ZNF667, ER stress-associated genes like ERO1LB and MANF, and the retention of TFBS and SRF in the bone marrow.[2]
Furthermore, expression levels of surface markers, such as CD38 and CD19, vary among plasma cells and are associated with functional differences. These differences include the production of either high-affinity or low-affinity antibodies by the plasma cells.[4]
Moreover, intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to the survival of LLPCs through various mechanisms.LLPCs rely on intrinsic signals for their long-term survival and function. Unique metabolic pathways, including autophagy and the unfolded protein response (UPR), are essential for LLPCs to cope with the high protein load and ER stress of continuous antibody production.[2]
There may be a connection between CD93 and the regulation of BLIMP-1, a key transcription factor that influences the mature phenotype of LLPC and their production of high-affinity antibodies.
Signaling through the Vav/Grb2 motif can induce NF-κB signaling and expression of BLIMP-1. CD28 engagement with its ligands CD80/CD86 promotes signaling through dendritic cells (DC) and upregulation of IL-6.
The LLPC niche consists of various extrinsic factors that support the survival and function of LLPCs.
Morphologically, LLPCs exhibit distinct alterations, such as an expansion of rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER), reflecting their specialised role in antibody production.[5] Most mRNA synthesised by LLPCs is dedicated to immunoglobulins, indicating their primary function and the loss of other cellular abilities.[6] The following two tables show the significant properties between naïve B cells and plasma cells.
| Name | Function | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Immunoglobulin (Ig) | Naïve B cells express surface Ig, which serves as the B cell receptor (BCR) for antigen recognition. | |
| Surface MHC Class II | Naïve B cells present antigens to helper T cells through surface major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC II) molecules, initiating T cell-dependent immune responses. | |
| Inducible Growth | Naïve B cells can be stimulated to proliferate and differentiate upon encountering an antigen and appropriate co-stimulatory signals. | |
| Somatic Hypermutation | During the germinal centre reaction, naïve B cells undergo somatic hypermutation, which introduces random mutations in the variable regions of their immunoglobulin genes. This process leads to generating B cells with increased affinity for the antigen. | |
| Isotype Switch | Naïve B cells can undergo isotype switching, a process that changes the constant region of the immunoglobulin molecule, allowing for the production of different antibody isotypes with distinct effector functions. |
| Name | Function | |
| Intrinsic High-Rate Ig Secretion | Plasma cells are highly specialised antibody-secreting cells. They have a large and active endoplasmic reticulum, which enables them to produce and secrete a high volume of immunoglobulins. | |
| Downregulated Surface MHC Class II | Plasma cells have significantly reduced surface expression of MHC Class II molecules. As a result, they have limited antigen presentation capability. | |
| Limited Inducible Growth | Unlike naïve B cells, plasma cells have limited proliferative capacity. Once they differentiate from B cells, they focus on antibody production rather than further expansion. | |
| No Somatic Hypermutation | Plasma cells do not undergo somatic hypermutation. Instead, they represent the end product of the germinal centre reaction and are responsible for producing high-affinity antibodies generated by the mutated B cells.[7] |
Following an immune response, B cells undergo affinity maturation, which improves the strength of their antibodies' binding to a specific antigen. B cells, with higher affinity antibodies, are selected for survival and undergo further division and affinity maturation rounds in specialised structures called germinal centers (GCs). This process involves somatic hypermutation (SHM), resulting in genetic changes that enhance the antibody's affinity. B cells with higher affinity antibodies can take two paths:
Overall, plasma cells provide continuous antibody production, while memory B cells offer a reservoir of pre-existing B cells that can mount a rapid and effective immune response upon re-exposure to the antigen.[8]
The immune system has two main lines of defense in providing long-lasting protection against a pathogen's reinfection: long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells. Long-lived plasma cells produce protective antibodies, and memory B cells can respond to reinfection by pathogens and their variants. The first wall comprises long-lived plasma cells in the bone marrow. These plasma cells secrete particular antibodies that have been carefully selected to target the antigens of the previously encountered pathogen. These antibodies form a barrier against reinfection with homologous pathogens. However, variant pathogens can find holes in this wall. Those pathogens then encounter the second wall, namely memory B cells, which were less highly selected and maintain a broader range of antigen affinities and specificities. The memory B cells are activated via the variant pathogen to differentiate into long-lived plasma cells or to reenter the germinal centers to replenish the memory B cell pool[9]