Genetics of autoreactive B cells.
It is now well-accepted that autoimmune diseases develop as a result of interactions between a complex genetic basis and environmental triggers. Autoreactive B cells play a major role in many autoimmune diseases, by secreting autoantibodies or cytokines and/or presenting auto-antigens to T cells. Studies performed with human patients and murine models have accumulated evidence that B-cell autoreactivity, or its manifestation as the presence of autoantibodies, are also supported by multiple genetic determinants. These studies will be summarized in this review and presented in a critical perspective of the approaches used to obtain these results, and their significance for our understanding of B-cell tolerance.
Xu
Zhiwei
Z
Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
Duan
Biyan
B
Morel
Laurence
L
D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic
D001323:Autoantibodies