Germinal centers (GCs) are key microanatomical sites in lymphoid organs where responding B cells mature and undergo affinity-based selection. The duration of the GC reaction has long been assumed to be relatively brief, but recent studies in humans, nonhuman primates, and mice indicate that GCs can last for weeks to months after initial antigen exposure. This review examines recent studies investigating the factors that influence GC duration, including antigen persistence, T-follicular helper cells, and mode of immunization. Potential mechanisms for how persistent GCs influence the B-cell repertoire are considered. Overall, these studies provide a blueprint for how to design better vaccines that elicit persistent GC responses.

生发中心(GC) 是淋巴器官中关键的显微解剖部位，其中响应性 B 细胞成熟并进行基于亲和力的选择。长期以来，GC 反应的持续时间一直被认为相对较短，但最近对人类、非人灵长类动物和小鼠的研究表明，GC 在初次接触抗原后可以持续数周至数月。本综述回顾了最近研究影响 GC 持续时间的因素，包括抗原持久性、滤泡辅助 T 细胞和免疫模式。考虑了持久性 GC 如何影响 B 细胞库的潜在机制。总的来说，这些研究为如何设计更好的疫苗来引发持久的GC反应提供了蓝图。