B-1 cell

B-1 cells are a sub-class of B cell lymphocytes that are involved in the humoral immune response. They are not part of the adaptive immune system,as they have no memory, but otherwise, B-1 cells perform many of the same roles as other B cells: making antibodies against antigens and acting as antigen presenting cells (APCs). Notably, most B-1 cells do not develop into memory B cells.

Origin
B-1 cells are first produced in the fetus and most B-1 cells undergo self renewal in the periphery, unlike conventional B cells (B-2 cells) that are produced after birth and replaced in the bone marrow.

Types
In January 2011 human B1 cells were found to have marker profile of CD20+CD27+CD43+CD70- and could either be CD5+ or CD5-. CD5-CD72 is thought to mediate B cell-B cell interaction. B-1 B cells, in the mouse, can be further subdivided into B-1a (CD5+) and B-1b (CD5-) subtypes. Unlike B-1a B cells, the B-1b subtype can be generated from precursors in the adult bone marrow. The B-1a and B-1b precursors have been reported to differ in the expression levels of CD138.

Recent functional studies indicate a further subdivision of labor assigning B1a cells as the precursors of natural serum antibody (7). In contrast, B1b cells appear to be the primary source of dynamic T cell independent (TI) antibody production and long-term protection after bacterial infection such as Borrelia hermsii and Streptococcus pneumoniae. These studies indicate preexisting subset differences in B cell receptor (BCR) specificity and antigen-driven B cell fate that remain important unresolved features of the system.

Role in immune response
B-1 cells express IgM in greater quantities than IgG and its receptors show polyspecificity, meaning that they have low affinities for many different antigens. These polyspecific immunoglobulins often have a preference for other immunoglobulins, self antigens and common bacterial polysaccharides. B-1 cells are present in low numbers in the lymph nodes and spleen and are instead found predominantly in the peritoneal and pleural cavities. B-1 cells generate diversity mainly via recombinatorial recombination (there is a preferential recombination between D-proximal VH gene segments).

B-1 B cells characteristically express high levels of sIgM, demonstrable CD11b, and low levels of sIgD, CD21, CD23, and the B cell isoform of CD45R (B220). In adult mice, B-1 B cells constitute a minor fraction of the spleen and secondary lymphoid tissues but are enriched in the pleural and peritoneal cavities. , B-1 B cells were shown to arise from precursors in the fetal liver and neonatal but not adult bone marrow and constitute the earliest wave of mature peripheral B cells.

B-1 B cells express a separable BCR repertoire. Sequence analysis indicates antibodies with restricted sets of V region genes and an increased usage of λ light chains. B-1 B cells sequences also show no evidence for somatic hypermutation (SHM), and few non-templated nucleotide (N) sequence insertions, a pattern typical of neonatal B cells. Efficient B-1 B cell development appears to be dependent on positive regulators of BCR signaling and the loss of negative regulators promotes greater accumulation of B-1 B cells. Hence, there appears to be a role for self or foreign antigen in shaping the repertoire of the B-1 B cell compartment.

B-1 B cells self-renew and spontaneously secrete IgM and IgG3 serum antibodies. These natural serum antibodies display extensive polyreactivity, demonstrable self-reactivity and bind to many common pathogen-associated carbohydrates. Natural serum antibodies play an important early role in the immune response to many bacteria and viruses but require complement fixation for effective antigen clearance. Innate sensing mechanisms can rapidly mobilize B-1 B cells regardless of specificity highlighting the innate-like activity of this separate B cell compartment.

Laboratory isolation
In research laboratories, B-1 B cells can be easily isolated from a mouse by injecting cell medium or PBS into the peritoneal cavity of the mouse and then draining it off via a technique mirroring diagnostic peritoneal lavage. Cells can be identified and placed into two categories "B-1a" or B-1b" using flow cytometry looking for surface expression of CD19, B220, and CD5. B-1a expresses high CD5 level, while B1b expresses low CD5 to almost-absent levels; both are CD19+ and B220+.