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CD27 + B cells in human lymphatic organs: re‐evaluating the splenic marginal zone
Author(s) -
Steiniger Birte,
Timphus EvaMaria,
Jacob Ralf,
Barth Peter J.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2005.02242.x
Subject(s) - lymphatic system , spleen , marginal zone , biology , pathology , immunology , medicine , b cell , antibody
Summary The marginal zone of human spleens is regarded as an organ‐specific region harbouring sessile memory B cells. This opinion has arisen by extrapolating from results obtained in mice and rats. Detection of CD27 + B cells in situ now revealed similarities among the most superficial region of B‐cell follicles in human spleens, reactive lymph nodes, inflamed appendices, tonsils and terminal ilea. The follicular surface in these organs consists of small naïve immunoglobulin D (IgD) + CD27 – B cells predominating in an inner area and larger IgD +/– CD27 + B cells prevailing in a more superficial position. CD27 + B cells may, however, also occupy the entire follicular periphery around the germinal centre. Together with additional peculiarities this distribution indicates a fundamental microanatomical difference among the human and rodent splenic white pulp. We hypothesize that the follicular periphery represents a recirculation compartment both for naïve and memory/natural reactive B cells in all human secondary lymphatic organs. This assumption implies a difference in recirculation behaviour among human and rodent B memory cells.