BLIMP1 tunes germinal center B cell responses to limit clonal dominance

Nature Immunology, Published online: 23 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41590-026-02508-4 The plasma cell transcription factor BLIMP1 unexpectedly functions in germinal center B cells as a signaling-induced gatekeeper, restraining B cell receptor signaling and positive selection to limit clonal dominance. Acting as a molecular brake, BLIMP1 helps to maintain the balance between affinity maturation and antibody repertoire diversity.