Methods to Differentiate Naive and Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived B Cells into Plasma Cells

This invention is a method to generate plasma cells from primary and stem cell-derived B cells and includes characterization of cellular intermediates during the maturation process.

Background: 
The inefficient generation of plasma cells from primary naïve B cells is due to a combination of intrinsic cellular limitations and external signaling requirements. Human pluripotent stem cells can serve as a scalable source of therapeutic cell types, such as antibody-secreting plasma cells, by providing a limitless, adaptable supply of cells that may be guided through a multi-phase differentiation process that resembles the ontogeny of primary naive B cells.

Applications: 

• Antibody production therapeutic
• Immunotherapy
• Immune system modeling
• Infectious disease research
• Drug development

Advantages: 

• Scalable and renewable source for generating plasma cells
• Facilitates genetic engineering and manipulation
• Provides greater consistency of plasma cells