BLIMP1 controls GC B cell expansion and exit through regulating cell cycle progression and key transcription factors BCL6 and IRF4.

ABSTRACT: In B cells, BLIMP1 is required for plasma cell differentiation. BLIMP1 is also expressed in some germinal center (GC) B cells (GCBC), yet the role of BLIMP1 in GCBC is not understood. Here we generated mixed bone marrow (BM) chimeric mice using Prdm1^+/+ CD19^Cre and Prdm1^fl/fl CD19^Cre BM, allowing us to examine the cell-intrinsic functions of BLIMP1 in GCBC, independent of antibody or antigen levels. Strikingly, BLIMP1-deficient B cells quickly dominate GCs and persist for a much longer time compared with wild-type cells. BLIMP1 deficiency promotes positive selection of GCBCs and enhances cell-cycle progression. Additionally, BLIMP1 deficiency alters class switching and memory B cell generation from GCBCs. Mechanistically, BLIMP1-deficient GCBCs f

SUBMITTER: Conter L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12356087 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature