Germinal centre (GC) B cells undergo rapid proliferation,
somatic hypermutation, and selection while delaying terminal differentiation
and apoptosis. BCL6 is highly expressed in GC B cells and functions as a transcriptional
repressor of genes involved in DNA damage responses, cell-cycle arrest, and
plasma cell differentiation. In experimental systems where BCL6 is selectively
deleted in B cells, germinal centres fail to form and antibody affinity
maturation is severely impaired.

Based on these findings, what is the most likely
primary role of BCL6 in shaping B‑cell responses?

Question

Germinal centre (GC) B cells undergo rapid proliferation,
somatic hypermutation, and selection while delaying terminal differentiation
and apoptosis. BCL6 is highly expressed in GC B cells and functions as a transcriptional
repressor of genes involved in DNA damage responses, cell-cycle arrest, and
plasma cell differentiation. In experimental systems where BCL6 is selectively
deleted in B cells, germinal centres fail to form and antibody affinity
maturation is severely impaired.

Based on these findings, what is the most likely
primary role of BCL6 in shaping B‑cell responses?

Accepted Answer

It
establishes and maintains a transcriptional program that enables B cells to
enter and persist in the germinal centre state

Answer

It
limits the extent of somatic hypermutation to reduce genomic instability during
clonal expansion

Answer

It
preserves low-affinity B cells by overriding selection signals despite weak
antigen binding

Answer

It
cooperates with BLIMP1 to initiate plasma cell differentiation at early stages
of activation

Crowdly

Germinal centre (GC) B cells undergo rapid proliferation, somatic hypermutation...

Want instant access to all verified answers on learning.monash.edu?