The plasma cell transcription factor BLIMP1 unexpectedly functions in germinal center B cells as a signaling-induced gatekeeper, restraining B cell receptor signaling and positive selection to limit clonal dominance. Acting as a molecular brake, BLIMP1 helps to maintain the balance between affinity maturation and antibody repertoire diversity.
Access to this article via Institution of Civil Engineers Library is not available. Victora, G.
D. & Nussenzweig, M.
C. Germinal Centers.
Annu. Rev.
Immunol. 40 , 413–442 (2022).
A review article that presents an overview of GC dynamics and the mechanisms that regulate B cell selection and affinity maturation. Shapiro-Shelef, M.
& Calame, K. Regulation of plasma-cell development.
Nat. Rev.
Immunol. 5 , 230–242 (2005).
A review article that presents the transcriptional regulation of plasma cell differentiation, highlighting the central role of BLIMP1. Conter, L.
et al. BLIMP1 controls GC B cell expansion and exit through regulating cell cycle progression and key transcription factors BCL6 and IRF4.
Cell Rep. 44 , 115977 (2025).
This study reports that BLIMP1 regulates GC B cell expansion and exit. Brooks, J.
F. et al.
Nature Immunology published a clinical update in Infectious Disease on 23 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on BLIMP1 tunes germinal center B cell responses to limit clonal dominance.
Review the original article for the full source wording and details.