[PDF][PDF] Single-cell BCR and transcriptome analysis after influenza infection reveals spatiotemporal dynamics of antigen-specific B cells

NR Mathew, JK Jayanthan, IV Smirnov, JL Robinson… - Cell reports, 2021 - cell.com
NR Mathew, JK Jayanthan, IV Smirnov, JL Robinson, H Axelsson, SS Nakka…
Cell reports, 2021cell.com
B cell responses are critical for antiviral immunity. However, a comprehensive picture of
antigen-specific B cell differentiation, clonal proliferation, and dynamics in different organs
after infection is lacking. Here, by combining single-cell RNA and B cell receptor (BCR)
sequencing of antigen-specific cells in lymph nodes, spleen, and lungs after influenza
infection in mice, we identify several germinal center (GC) B cell subpopulations and organ-
specific differences that persist over the course of the response. We discover transcriptional …
Summary
B cell responses are critical for antiviral immunity. However, a comprehensive picture of antigen-specific B cell differentiation, clonal proliferation, and dynamics in different organs after infection is lacking. Here, by combining single-cell RNA and B cell receptor (BCR) sequencing of antigen-specific cells in lymph nodes, spleen, and lungs after influenza infection in mice, we identify several germinal center (GC) B cell subpopulations and organ-specific differences that persist over the course of the response. We discover transcriptional differences between memory cells in lungs and lymphoid organs and organ-restricted clonal expansion. Remarkably, we find significant clonal overlap between GC-derived memory and plasma cells. By combining BCR-mutational analyses with monoclonal antibody (mAb) expression and affinity measurements, we find that memory B cells are highly diverse and can be selected from both low- and high-affinity precursors. By linking antigen recognition with transcriptional programming, clonal proliferation, and differentiation, these finding provide important advances in our understanding of antiviral immunity.
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