Identification of Functional Human Splenic Memory B Cells by Expression of CD148 and CD27

Memory B cells isolated from human tonsils are characterized by an activated cell surface phenotype, localization to mucosal epithelium, expression of somatically mutated immunoglobulin (Ig) variable (V) region genes, and a preferential differentiation into plasma cells in vitro. In spleens of both humans and rodents, a subset of memory B cells is believed to reside in the marginal zone of the white pulp. Similar to tonsil-derived memory B cells, splenic marginal zone B cells can be distinguished from naive follicular B cells by a distinct cell surface phenotype and by the presence of somatic mutations in their Ig V region genes. Although differences exist between human naive and memory B cells, no cell surface molecules have been identified that positively identify all memory B cells. In this study, we have examined the expression of the receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase CD148 on human B cells. CD148+ B cells present in human spleen exhibited characteristics typical of memory B cells. These included an activated phenotype, localization to the marginal zone, the expression of somatically mutated Ig V region genes, and the preferential differentiation into plasma cells. In