Promotion and prevention of autoimmunity by B lymphocytes.
B lymphocytes are normally subject to heavy and ongoing selection through their antigen-specific Ig receptors. Self tolerance mediated through antigen-receptor crosslinking on B cells appears to function in a variety of different and perhaps complementary ways, leading to cell death or editing of the antigen-receptor genes. The consequences of defects in these processes are unclear, but may be sufficient to explain systemic autoimmune disease.
Nemazee
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Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Denver.
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance