Antigen-capturing Cells Can Masquerade as Memory B Cells

As well as classically defined switched immunoglobulin isotype-expressing B cells, memory B cells are now thought to include IgM-expressing cells and memory cells that lack B cell lineage markers, such as B220 or CD19. We set out to compare the relative importance of memory B cell subsets with an established flow cytometry method to identify antigen-specific cells. After immunization with PE, we could detect B220(+) and, as reported previously, B220(−) antigen-binding cells (McHeyzer-Williams, L.J., M. Cool, and M.G. McHeyzer-Williams. 2001. J. Immunol. 167:1393–1405). The B220(−)PE(+) cells bore few markers typical of B cells, but resembled myeloid cells. Further analysis of the antigen-binding characteristics of these cells showed that, upon immunization with two fluorescent proteins, the B220(−) cells could bind both. Furthermore, this subpopulation was detected in RAG1(−/−) mice after transfer of anti-PE mouse serum. These data strongly suggest that these cells capture serum Ig, via Fc receptors, and thus appear antigen-specific. Investigation of these antigen-capturing cells in a variety of knockout mice indicates that they bind monomeric IgG in an FcγR1 (CD64)–dependent manner. We find no evidence of a B220(−) memory B cell population that is not explicable by antigen-capturing cells, and warn that care must be taken when using antigen-specificity or surface IgG as an indicator of B cell memory.