[B lymphocytes--a dogma revisited].
The one B cell-one antibody hypothesis proposed by M.F. Burnet (1957) was recently challenged by results showing that one B cell can simultaneously express an auto-reactive BCR, and a BCR directed against non-self antigens. The latter allows this auto-reactive B cell to escape negative selection. Burnet's theory was thus challenged from the beginning. Namely, Liacopoulos et al. demonstrated that normal B cells produce simultaneously or sequentially two antibody molecules against two unrelated haptens. It thus appears that 'double producers' provide new prospects in auto-immunity. Our previous work using heterologous antigens also suggest that 'double producers' provide an amplifying factor for immunoglobulin repertoire.
Couderc
Jacques
J
Inserm 131, Cytokines et Immunorégulations, 32, rue des Carnets, 92140 Clamart, France. jacques.couderc@inserm.ipsc.u-psud.fr
D000818:Animals; D000916:Antibody Diversity; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D007700:Kinetics; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology
D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell