Clonal deletion of autospecific B lymphocytes.
Using mice transgenic for functional, rearranged immunoglobulin heavy and light chain genes, it can be demonstrated that B lymphocytes reactive with cell surface-bound class I MHC antigen can be controlled by clonal elimination. Even low-affinity cell-bound ligands can induce deletion. Deletion can occur in the pre-B to B cell transitional stage or after the B cells exist the bone marrow, depending on where the cells first encounter autoantigen. IgD appears to play no role in protecting cells from deletion. It is argued that defects in B-cell tolerance alone may be sufficient to lead to systemic autoimmunity.
Dept. of Pediatrics, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, CO 80206.
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D
Nemazee
D
D
Russell
B
B
Arnold
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Haemmerling
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Allison
J F
JF
Miller
G
G
Morahan
K
K
Buerki
D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015326:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain / Q000276:immunology; D015328:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Light Chain / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic
D001324:Autoantigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I