How a simple amino acid could shape immune response (Asparagine helps antibodies)Medical Xpress / University of Oxford / Science Immunology ^ | Jan. 3, 2025 | Yavuz F. Yazicioglu et alPosted on by ConservativeMindA study conducted by researchers has uncovered a pivotal role of asparagine metabolism in regulating B cell homeostasis and immune response.
Germinal center (GC) B cells are responsible for producing antibodies.
The findings identify the non-essential amino acid asparagine as a critical regulator of germinal center (GC) B cell function, structures critical for refining antibodies to target infections effectively.
"When asparagine is scarce, B cells struggle, leading to weakened GC B cell function," said Yavuz Yazicioglu, KTPSReducing asparagine levels through diet or an asparagine-depleting drug, Asparaginase, weakened GC B cell function, leading to lower-quality antibody generation during flu infection, particularly from the cells with a defective capacity to produce asparagine.
"We found when B cells were deprived of asparagine, they had reduced mitochondrial activity and building blocks such as nucleotides, suggesting asparagine sustains important metabolic processes in B cells," said Alex Clarke.