The regulation of self-reactive B cells.
Self-reactive B cells are eliminated in a series of checkpoints that are triggered by antigen binding. Recent reports have shown that in addition to the processes of elimination at the immature B-cell stage, B-cell anergy and regulation of T-cell help, self-reactive cells are also controlled by follicular competition, Fas-mediated elimination by T cells and censoring in the germinal centres. Each checkpoint operates at a threshold that reflects the need to maintain immune diversity at the same time as suppressing autoimmune disease. Analysis of the motheaten mutation has given a direct demonstration of how such thresholds can be modulated by genetic effects.
Cornall
R J
RJ
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305, USA.
Goodnow
C C
CC
Cyster
J G
JG
D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018448:Models, Immunological; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000276:immunology
D019014:fas Receptor