Journal
IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS
Volume 197, Issue -, Pages 51-59Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2004.0098.x
Keywords
-
Categories
Funding
- NIAID NIH HHS [AI43587, AI29576] Funding Source: Medline
Ask authors/readers for more resources
B cells of varying antigen specificities are consistently present in the unmanipulated repertoire. These B cells appear to belong to the marginal zone (MZ) and B1 B-cell subsets and provide protection to the blood and lymph, respectively. Some are specific for self-antigens, suggesting that they are selected based on specificity for self but have a protective role against foreign pathogens. One of these specificities is for phosphatidylcholine (PtC). Anti-PtC B cells comprise 5-8% of the B1 repertoire and are protective against bacterial pathogens. In general, they are restricted to the expression of two V-H/Vkappa combinations, V(H)11/Vkappa9 and V(H)12/Vkappa4/5H. This review focuses on the differentiation of V(H)12 anti-PtC B cells. They undergo a series of positive selection events beginning at the pre-B-cell stage that enriches for those with a V(H)CDR3 and L chain required for PtC binding and eliminating the majority of V(H)12 B cells that lack the ability to bind PtC. Thus, positive selection focuses the V(H)12 repertoire toward PtC, ensuring that anti-PtC V(H)12 B cells are a significant component of the B1-cell repertoire in all individuals.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available