Dissecting the Regulation of Plasma Cell Turnover

This thesis has investigated factors regulating the lifespan of antibody-secreting plasma cells. I identified external and internal determinants of plasma cell longevity. I also examined the relationship between expression of the proteins MHCII and SLAMF6 with lifespan, revealing that plasma cell age and maturity were linked to distinct gene expression patterns associated with improved survival potential. These findings reveal how plasma cell lifespan is shaped by their history and phenotype, informing strategies to optimise antibody durability following vaccination.