Elucidation of the mechanism for immunological memory by single cell analysis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21H02749
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 49070:Immunology-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo (2023); Osaka University (2021-2022)
• Principal Investigator: Inoue Takeshi 東京大学, 新世代感染症センター, 教授 (80466838)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 胚中心 / 免疫記憶 / B細胞受容体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have previously identified memory B precursor cells in the germinal center (GC) and found that GC B cells expressing higher surface BCR favor memory B cell fate. To elucidate the physiological significance of BCR expression during memory B cell differentiation, we analyzed the factor for generating the difference in surface BCR expression in GC B cells. Using our single B cell analysis technology, we generated BCR knock-in B cells with similar affinity and different levels of surface BCR expression, and analyzed their in vivo differentiation upon immunization. Our results suggest that the difference in BCR surface expression can affect the efficiency of GC B cell differentiation into memory B cells.

Free Research Field

免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究はこれまで明らかになっていない複雑な液性免疫記憶の成立のメカニズムの解明につながる基礎研究であり、将来的により効率的な新しいワクチン開発に貢献する可能性がある。