title: B cell epitope spreading: mechanisms and contribution to autoimmune diseases.
abstract: While a variety of factors act to trigger or initiate autoimmune diseases, the process of epitope spreading is an important contributor in their development. Epitope spreading is a diversification of the epitopes recognized by the immune system. This process happens to both T and B cells, with this review focusing on B cells. Such spreading can progress among multiple epitopes on a single antigen, or from one antigenic molecule to another. Systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid and other autoimmune diseases, are all influenced by intermolecular and intramolecular B cell epitope spreading. Endocytic processing, antigen presentation, and somatic hypermutation act as molecular mechanisms that assist in driving epitope spreading and broadening the immune response in autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this review is to summarize our current understanding of B cell epitope spreading with regard to autoimmunity, how it contributes during the progression of various autoimmune diseases, and treatment options available.
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Provo, UT 84602, United States.
authors.forename: Caleb
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cornaby
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Provo, UT 84602, United States.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Provo, UT 84602, United States.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mayhew
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Provo, UT 84602, United States.
authors.forename: Chad S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Sloan
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Provo, UT 84602, United States.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Welling
authors.affiliation: Brigham Young University, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Provo, UT 84602, United States. Electronic address: brian_poole@byu.edu.
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Poole
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D027041:Somatic Hypermutation, Immunoglobulin / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D018985:Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
keywords: Antibodies; Autoimmune disease; B cells; Epitope spreading