[PDF][PDF] Guidance of B cells by the orphan G protein-coupled receptor EBI2 shapes humoral immune responses

D Gatto, D Paus, A Basten, CR Mackay, R Brink - Immunity, 2009 - cell.com
D Gatto, D Paus, A Basten, CR Mackay, R Brink
Immunity, 2009cell.com
Humoral immunity depends on both rapid and long-term antibody production against
invading pathogens. This is achieved by the generation of spatially distinct extrafollicular
plasmablast and follicular germinal center (GC) B cell populations, but the signals that guide
responding B cells to these alternative compartments have not been fully elucidated. Here,
we show that expression of the orphan G protein-coupled receptor Epstein-Barr virus-
induced gene 2 (EBI2, also known as GPR183) by activated B cells was essential for their …
Summary
Humoral immunity depends on both rapid and long-term antibody production against invading pathogens. This is achieved by the generation of spatially distinct extrafollicular plasmablast and follicular germinal center (GC) B cell populations, but the signals that guide responding B cells to these alternative compartments have not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that expression of the orphan G protein-coupled receptor Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (EBI2, also known as GPR183) by activated B cells was essential for their movement to extrafollicular sites and induction of early plasmablast responses. Conversely, downregulation of EBI2 enabled B cells to access the center of follicles and promoted efficient GC formation. EBI2 therefore provides a previously uncharacterized dimension to B cell migration that is crucial for coordinating rapid versus long-term antibody responses.
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