Recently, some interesting studies have been conducted with marginal zone (MZ) B

Question

Recently, some interesting studies have been conducted with marginal zone (MZ) B cells and their activation by immune cells typically found in the spleen. In vitro assays were performed where MZ B cells were incubated with various immune cells to see if they were able to stimulate the MZBs. The graph to the left shows the results of this experiment (where splenic MBZs were incubated for 6 days with one type of immune cell: neutrophil (N), dendritic cell (DC), macrophage (M) or CD4+ T cell (T), and then IgM output was measured.

Explain these results. Are they surprising, given what you know about MZ B cells?

Explanation / Answer

The above graph clearly shows that MZ B cells are producing more amount of IgM antibodies in the presence of Neutrophils and helper T cells when compared to dendritic cells and macrophages.

The MZ B cells are small and clearly distinguishable subset found in spleen and account for 5-10% of total splenic B cells and will express high levels of IgM. These non-circulating mature B cells called Marginal zone B cells will be found segregating anatomically into the marginal zone of the spleen. In this region we can also find subtypes of macrophages and dendritic cells as we all know that the spleen is highly specialized lymphoid compartment which clears many in clearing blood-borne pathogens. The activation of these marginal zone B cells (MZ) by helper signals from neutrophils and helper T cells will produce a large amount of IgM antibodies.

Thus this splenic MZ B cells will provide early innate immune response and afterwards by storing the memory, they will provide us the adaptive immune response in later stages.

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