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Verstegen NJM, Ubels V, Westerhoff HV, van Ham SM, Barberis M. System-Level Scenarios for the Elucidation of T Cell-Mediated Germinal Center B Cell Differentiation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:734282. [PMID: 34616402 PMCID: PMC8488341 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.734282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Germinal center (GC) reactions are vital to the correct functioning of the adaptive immune system, through formation of high affinity, class switched antibodies. GCs are transient anatomical structures in secondary lymphoid organs where specific B cells, after recognition of antigen and with T cell help, undergo class switching. Subsequently, B cells cycle between zones of proliferation and somatic hypermutation and zones where renewed antigen acquisition and T cell help allows for selection of high affinity B cells (affinity maturation). Eventually GC B cells first differentiate into long-lived memory B cells (MBC) and finally into plasma cells (PC) that partially migrate to the bone marrow to encapsulate into long-lived survival niches. The regulation of GC reactions is a highly dynamically coordinated process that occurs between various cells and molecules that change in their signals. Here, we present a system-level perspective of T cell-mediated GC B cell differentiation, presenting and discussing the experimental and computational efforts on the regulation of the GCs. We aim to integrate Systems Biology with B cell biology, to advance elucidation of the regulation of high-affinity, class switched antibody formation, thus to shed light on the delicate functioning of the adaptive immune system. Specifically, we: i) review experimental findings of internal and external factors driving various GC dynamics, such as GC initiation, maturation and GCBC fate determination; ii) draw comparisons between experimental observations and mathematical modeling investigations; and iii) discuss and reflect on current strategies of modeling efforts, to elucidate B cell behavior during the GC tract. Finally, perspectives are specifically given on to the areas where a Systems Biology approach may be useful to predict novel GCBC-T cell interaction dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels J M Verstegen
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Synthetic Systems Biology and Nuclear Organization, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Victor Ubels
- Systems Biology, School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom.,Centre for Mathematical and Computational Biology, CMCB, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Hans V Westerhoff
- Synthetic Systems Biology and Nuclear Organization, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Cell Physiology, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - S Marieke van Ham
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Synthetic Systems Biology and Nuclear Organization, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Matteo Barberis
- Synthetic Systems Biology and Nuclear Organization, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Systems Biology, School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom.,Centre for Mathematical and Computational Biology, CMCB, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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