title: Defining subsets of naive and memory B cells based on the ability of their progeny to somatically mutate in vitro.
abstract: The increased affinity of memory antibody responses is due largely to the generation and selection of memory B cells that accumulate somatic mutations after initial antigenic stimulation. Further affinity maturation and mutation also accompany subsequent immunizations. Previous studies have suggested that, like primary antibody-forming cell (AFC) clones, secondary AFC do not accumulate further mutations and, therefore, the origins of progressive affinity maturation remain controversial. Here, we report the generation of somatically mutated memory B cell clones in vitro. Our findings confirm the existence of a naive B cell subset whose progeny, rather than generating AFC, somatically mutate and respond to subsequent antigenic stimulation. Interestingly, upon stimulation, a subset of memory B cells also generates antigen-responsive cells that accumulate further somatic mutations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Linton
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaharevitz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biery
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Gingeras
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Klinman
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D012313:RNA