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Positive selection focuses the V H 12 B‐cell repertoire towards a single B1 specificity with survival function
Author(s) -
Wang Hongsheng,
Clarke Stephen H.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/j.0105-2896.2004.0098.x
Subject(s) - repertoire , biology , antigen , b cell , phenotype , immunology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , antibody , physics , acoustics
Summary: B cells of varying antigen specificities are consistently present in the unmanipulated repertoire. These B cells appear to belong to the marginal zone (MZ) and B1 B‐cell subsets and provide protection to the blood and lymph, respectively. Some are specific for self‐antigens, suggesting that they are selected based on specificity for self but have a protective role against foreign pathogens. One of these specificities is for phosphatidylcholine (PtC). Anti‐PtC B cells comprise 5–8% of the B1 repertoire and are protective against bacterial pathogens. In general, they are restricted to the expression of two V H /Vκ combinations, V H 11/Vκ9 and V H 12/Vκ4/5H. This review focuses on the differentiation of V H 12 anti‐PtC B cells. They undergo a series of positive selection events beginning at the pre‐B‐cell stage that enriches for those with a V H CDR3 and L chain required for PtC binding and eliminating the majority of V H 12 B cells that lack the ability to bind PtC. Thus, positive selection focuses the V H 12 repertoire toward PtC, ensuring that anti‐PtC V H 12 B cells are a significant component of the B1‐cell repertoire in all individuals.