IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Cell cycle-coupled transcriptional network regulates human B cell fate bifurcation

Cell cycle-coupled transcriptional network regulates human B cell fate bifurcation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker described work on how activated human naive B cells choose between two antibody-producing fates: plasma blasts and germinal-center precursors. Using an in vitro culture system, single-cell RNA/ATAC-seq, and CRISPR perturbations, the lab found that cells bifurcate over 4–6 days into IRF4/Blimp1-high plasma blast-like cells or IRF8/BCL6-high germinal-center-like cells. Their gene-regulatory network model accurately predicted transcription-factor knockouts. A key finding was that transient G0/G1 pausing, marked by P21/P27, reinforces IRF4 and Blimp1 expression and biases cells toward the plasma blast fate. More cell divisions early on also increased the likelihood of plasma blast differentiation, while fewer divisions favored germinal-center precursors. The model suggests that early proliferation and cell-cycle pausing help shape antibody diversity and clonal expansion, with CD40 stimulation strongly influencing the fate balance.

Meta Tag

Date April 19, 2026 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM

Room 151

Session Regulation of B Cell Responses

Speaker Nick Pease

Track Immune Response Regulation: Molecular Mechanisms (IRM)

Year 2026

Keywords

naive B cells

plasma blast differentiation

germinal center precursors

cell-cycle pausing

gene-regulatory network

April 19, 2026 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM

151

Regulation of B Cell Responses

Nick Pease

Immune Response Regulation: Molecular Mechanisms (IRM)

2026