Abstract
B-lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (BLIMP1) is a transcriptional repressor, and its importance in controlling the terminal differentiation of antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) is well established. However, as we discuss in this Progress article, it has now become evident that the ASC programme consists of a discrete BLIMP1-independent initiation phase, followed by a second step in which BLIMP1 is absolutely required for the differentiation of fully mature ASCs. In addition, an important role for BLIMP1 in maintaining the homeostasis of effector T cells is emerging, suggesting intriguing parallels between the control of effector-cell fates in both B and T cells.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank members of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute B Cell Program for helpful discussions and L. Corcoran for comments on the manuscript. This research was supported by the Pfizer Australia Research Fellowship (S.L.N.), the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (A.K.) and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.
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Nutt, S., Fairfax, K. & Kallies, A. BLIMP1 guides the fate of effector B and T cells. Nat Rev Immunol 7, 923–927 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nri2204
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nri2204
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