Organization and maintenance of immunological memory by stroma niches

Eur J Immunol. 2009 Aug;39(8):2095-9. doi: 10.1002/eji.200939500.

Abstract

Immunological memory is still one of the enigmas of modern immunology. We poorly understand the generation of memory cells from their precursors, the lifestyle of memory cells or their maintenance, reactivation and termination. Here, we discuss the recent evidence suggesting that memory plasma cells, as defined in this review, and memory Th cells are maintained in the bone marrow, resting (in terms of proliferation) in survival niches organized by dedicated stroma cells, which control the homeostasis of immunological memory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Cell Survival / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology*
  • Models, Immunological
  • Plasma Cells / cytology
  • Plasma Cells / immunology*
  • Stromal Cells / cytology
  • Stromal Cells / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*