Germinal center reaction and output: recent advances

Abstract

The germinal center (GC) reaction is unique in that it incorporates clonal expansion, somatic mutagenesis, affinity-based selection, and differentiation events all in one tightly packed but highly dynamic microenvironment to produce affinity-matured plasma cells (PCs) or memory B cells (MBCs). Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of how cyclic expansion and selection are orchestrated, how stringency and efficiency of selection are maintained, and how external signals are integrated in B cells to promote post-GC development of PCs and MBCs.