Evidence that the B lymphocyte proliferating in B-CLL and in other B-cell malignancies is frequently committed to production of natural autoantibodies.
Autoreactive B-cells constitute a substantial part of B-cell repertoire. They frequently secrete polyspecific natural autoantibodies which are the expression of germinal genes. During recent years, considerable evidence has accumulated indicating that autoreactive B-cells frequently undergo malignant transformation. This evidence arose from the study of monoclonal immunoglobulins (MIgs) and from recent studies of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) B lymphocytes. The present review, includes two sections. The first one reviews evidence supporting the idea that autoreactive B-cells constitute a substantial part of autoreactive B-cell repertoire. The second one is devoted to review evidence favouring the view that this autoreactive B-cell repertoire is frequently involved in B-cell malignancies.
Dighiero
G
G
Immunohématologie et Immunopathologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Borche
L
L
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007136:Immunoglobulins