English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Antibody-secreting plasma cells (PCs) have remained largely uncharacterized for years in the field of porcine immunology. For an in-depth study of porcine PCs, we identified cross-reactive antibodies against three key transcription factors: PR domain zinc finger protein-1 (Blimp-1), interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), and paired box 5 (Pax5). A distinct Blimp-1 + IRF4 +  cell population was found in cells isolated from blood, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and lung of healthy pigs. These cells showed a downregulation of Pax5 compared to other B cells. Within Blimp-1 + IRF4 +  B cells, IgM-, IgG-, and IgA-expressing cells were identified and immunoglobulin-class distribution was clearly different between the anatomical locations, with IgA +  PCs dominating in lung tissue and IgM +  PCs dominating in the spleen. Expression patterns of Ki-67, MHC-II, CD9, and CD28 were investigated in the different organs. A high expression of Ki-67 was observed in blood, suggesting a plasmablast stage. Blimp-1 + IRF4 +  cells showed an overall lower expression of MHC-II compared to regular B cells, confirming a progressive loss in B-cell differentiation toward the PC stage. CD28 showed slightly elevated expression levels in Blimp-1 + IRF4 +  cells in most organs, a phenotype that is also described for PCs in mice and humans. This was not seen for CD9. We further developed a FACS-sorting strategy for live porcine PCs for functional assays. CD3 - CD16 - CD172a –  sorted cells with a CD49d high FSC-A high  phenotype contained Blimp-1 + IRF4 +  cells and were capable of spontaneous IgG production, thus confirming PC identity. These results reveal fundamental phenotypes of porcine PCs and will facilitate the study of this specific B-cell subset in the future.

Co-Expression of the B-Cell Key Transcription Factors Blimp-1 and IRF4 Identifies Plasma Cells in the Pig