APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) and BAFF (B cell-activating factor) are needed for long-lived plasma cell (LLPC) maintenance.
- Park 2025: CD138 and APRIL regulate plasma cell survival, competition, and retention in the bone marrow niche
IL-6 and CXCL12 support plasma cell longevity by interacting with the bone marrow microenvironment.
- Noto 2022: CXCL12 and CXCL13 cytokine serum levels are associated with the magnitude and the quality of SARS-CoV-2 humoral responses
- Slamanig 2021: The bone marrow as sanctuary for plasma cells and memory T-cells: implications for adaptive immunity and vaccinology
Adhesion (e.g., VCAM-1 and CXCR4) generally facilitates homing and retention of LLPCs in bone marrow niches.
Plasma cell longevity in the bone marrow is heavily influenced by new plasma cell recruitment and niche occupancy; competition for survival niches in the marrow can dictate whether new antigen-specific plasma cells can persist long term, or be displaced by other plasma cells.
- Park 2025: CD138 and APRIL regulate plasma cell survival, competition, and retention in the bone marrow niche
CD19−CD45+/− plasma cells is a phenotype linked to increased longevity and stability in the bone marrow.