Immunity
Volume 2, Issue 3, March 1995, Pages 239-248
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Memory B cells from human tonsils colonize mucosal epithelium and directly present antigen to T cells by Rapid Up-Regulation of B7-1 and B7-2

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Abstract

Human memory B cells that carry mutated IgV region genes were isolated from tonsils by negative selection of IgD+ naive B cells and CD38+ germinal center B cells and plasma cells. They were mainly found within the intraepithelial areas, but not in the B cell follicles of human tonsils. Memory B cells but not naive B cells have the capacity to present antigen directly to T cells, owing to the constitutive expression of the accessory molecules B7-1 /CD80 and B7-2/CD86. Signals through antigen receptors and CD40 antigen result in these two molecules being further up-regulated more rapidly and strongly on memory B cells than on naive B cells. The unique anatomical localization of memory B cells beneath the surface of mucosa, together with their strong APC capacity, may explain the well-known prompt and robust secondary antibody responses.

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