IgG, not IgA, ASCs preferentially target influenza NP
A new study with contributions from the Joller Lab at the Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, University of Zurich, has uncovered that influenza infection drives distinct antibody-secreting cell (ASC) responses in bone marrow. Using single-cell RNA and B cell receptor sequencing in mice, the researchers found that expanded IgG ASCs frequently targeted the conserved influenza nucleoprotein (NP), regardless of whether infections were homologous or heterologous.
In contrast, IgA ASCs were abundant and highly mutated but showed minimal NP specificity, with some displaying polyreactivity to self and non-self antigens. These findings provide fresh insights into mucosal versus systemic immune memory and may inform vaccine strategies targeting conserved viral proteins.