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.
Nemazee
D
D
Dept. of Pediatrics, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver, CO 80206.
Russell
D
D
Arnold
B
B
Haemmerling
G
G
Allison
J
J
Miller
J F
JF
Morahan
G
G
Buerki
K
K
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