B-cell repertoire changes in mouse models of aging

Abstract

Changes in the antibody repertoire are a well-established feature of immunosenescence. These reflect an aggregate of age-associated alterations in the generation, numbers, and proportions of B-cell subsets; as well as the homeostatic and selective processes governing them. A basic understanding of these relationships, coupled with integrated assessments of how they change with age, should reveal mechanisms underlying the immunosenescent phenotype. Mouse models provide powerful tools for these analyses, allowing controlled manipulation of key genetic, cellular, and microenvironmental factors. Here we summarize current understanding of how primary and antigen-experienced murine B-cell repertoires are established, as well as how they shift with age.