# Differentiation of memory B cells requires EZH2 and epigenetic remodeling

> **NIH NIH F31** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $47,694

## Abstract

Project Summary:
It is important for an organism to develop a strong defense to repel an infection, which means
the organism must fine tune its immune system to provide efficient clearance of the pathogen.
Reponses to these different pathogens can be further divided to long lasting protection and
short-lived protection by B cells 1. In the context of B cell activation, these responses proceed in
the lymphatic system in extrafollicular space with the development of Germinal Centers (GC) 5.
The use of epigenetics allows us to understand what cellular signals contributes to cellular
differentiation after activation and what changes different pathogens create in these responses
36-39. Mouse models are an invaluable resource for studying the immune system. This study
aims to define the histone modifications in genes involved in the Memory B Cell (MBC)
transcription factor network. We want to know how MBCs differentiate and what differences are
there between GC derived and GC-independent MBCs. Some infections are cleared before
GCs are made while other infections need the advance fine tenement of B cells for the infection
to be cleared 14-16. We will study the phenotypes of MBCs and what effect H3K27 histone
modification has on MBC development and function. It has been shown for example that
challenging B cells with LPS (type-1 TI antigen) and EZH2 (the protein involved in placing
H3K27me3 marks) leads to increased antibody secreting cells 7. We know that MBCs are
epigenetically primed at genes involved in B cell activation, signal transduction, survival and
migration 28. We aim to uncover what factors support the priming necessary for B cell
differentiation in MBCs. This application seeks to test the hypothesis that GC and GC-
independent MBCs are a distinct lineage that requires specific molecular signals and
epigenetic remodeling. The Specific Aims of this project are: 1: Phenotype MBCs in an PR8
influenza response and 2: Define H3K27me3 role in the development of MBC populations. In
Aim 1, we will determine the molecular landscape of MBCs. In Aim 2, we will establish
H3K27me3 role in the formation, longevity, and reactivation of MBCs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10680127
- **Project number:** 1F31AI172377-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Keenan Wiggins
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $47,694
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-06-23 → 2026-06-22

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10680127

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10680127, Differentiation of memory B cells requires EZH2 and epigenetic remodeling (1F31AI172377-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10680127. Licensed CC0.

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