Biology subjects

Armitage, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Armitage, C..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2021

Two subsets of human marginal zone B cells resolved by global analysis of lymphoid tissues and blood

B cells generate antibodies that are essential for immune protection. Major events driving B cell responses occur in lymphoid tissues, which guide antigen acquisition and support cellular interactions, yet complexities of B cell subsets in human lymphoid tissues are poorly understood. Here we perform undirected, global profiling of B cells in matched human lymphoid tissues from deceased transplant organ donors and tracked dissemination of B cell clones. In addition to identifying unanticipated features of tissue-based B cell differentiation, we resolve two clonally independent subsets of marginal zone B cells that differ in cell surface and transcriptomic profiles, tendency to disseminate, distribution bias within splenic marginal zone microenvironment and immunoglobulin repertoire diversity and hypermutation frequency. Each subset is represented in spleen, gut-associated lymphoid tissue, mesenteric lymph node, and also blood. Thus, we provide clarity and diffuse controversy surrounding human MZB - the elephant in the room of human B cell biology.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2018

Temperate grass allergy season defined by spatio-temporal shifts in airborne pollen communities

Grass pollen is the worlds most harmful outdoor aeroallergen and sensitivity varies between species. Different species of grass flower at different times, but it is not known how airborne communities of grass pollen change in time and space. Persistence and high mobility of grass pollen could result in increasingly diverse seasonal pollen communities. Conversely, if grass pollen does not persist for an extended time in the air, shifting pollen communities would be predicted throughout the summer months. Here, using targeted high throughput sequencing, we tracked the seasonal progression of airborne Poaceae pollen biodiversity across Britain, throughout the grass allergy season. All grass genera displayed discrete, temporally restricted peaks of pollen incidence which varied with latitude, revealing that the taxonomic composition of grass pollen exposure changes substantially across the allergy season. By developing more refined aeroallergen profiling, we predict that our findings will facilitate the exploration of links between taxon-specific exposure of harmful grass pollen and disease, with concomitant socio-economic benefits.

ecology↗