Autophagy in Plasma Cells

Upon activation, B cells differentiate into their effector counterparts, antibody secreting cells. This differentiation process is characterized by profound cellular reprogramming that prepares the cell for the metabolically intense task of secreting large amounts of antibodies. Of particular importance a subset of these cells will originate a resident pool of long-lived plasma cells (PCs) in the bone marrow. The continuous secretion of protective antibodies in the absence of antigens, referred to as serological memory, contributes to immune defense and vaccination efficacy. Recent work has increased our understanding of PC biology by discovering how both normal and transformed PCs, in rodents and humans, display high levels of autophagy, a conserved intracellular catabolic route. Genetic studies have established that autophagy plays essential roles in antibody responses and PC homeostasis, promoting the survival of both memory B cells and long-lived PCs. These studies have pathophysiologic and therapeutic implications for the control of immune responses and PC-mediated diseases.