Expression patterns of CD24 and CD27 resolve the origins and gradual differentiation of CD11c(+) atypical memory B-cells after malaria infection.

Progressive loss of CD24 and CD27 marks the differentiation of CD11c(+) atypical B-cells from memory B-cells after malaria infection, culminating in late ABCs with distinct markers.

• Why it matters: Understanding ABC ontogeny and differentiation is crucial because their roles in infections are conflicting, and clarifying their origins can inform immune response mechanisms and potential interventions.
• What they did: The study used high-dimensional flow cytometry, single-cell transcriptomics, V(D)J sequencing, and functional assays on samples from individuals with malaria and healthy donors to identify cellular origin markers and track ABC differentiation trajectories.
• The result: Findings reveal that early ABCs originate mainly from memory B-cells, with differentiation stages characterized by specific marker loss and gain, enabling a unified framework for ABC classification and functional understanding.