Premium
Epigenetic gene regulation in plasma cells
Author(s) -
Patterson Dillon G.,
Kania Anna K.,
Zuo Zhihong,
Scharer Christopher D.,
Boss Jeremy M.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/imr.12975
Subject(s) - epigenetics , biology , epigenesis , gene , plasma cell , regulation of gene expression , genetics , gene expression , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , dna methylation , antibody
Humoral immunity provides protection from pathogenic infection and is mediated by antibodies following the differentiation of naive B cells (nBs) to antibody‐secreting cells (ASCs). This process requires substantial epigenetic and transcriptional rewiring to ultimately repress the nB program and replace it with one conducive to ASC physiology and function. Notably, these reprogramming events occur within the framework of cell division. Efforts to understand the relationship of cell division with reprogramming and ASC differentiation in vivo have uncovered the timing and scope of reprogramming, as well as key factors that influence these events. Herein, we discuss the unique physiology of ASC and how nBs undergo epigenetic and genome architectural reorganization to acquire the necessary functions to support antibody production. We also discuss the stage‐wise manner in which reprogramming occurs across cell divisions and how key molecular determinants can influence B cell fate outcomes.