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IgM Accelerates Affinity Maturation
Author(s) -
Corley R. B.,
Morehouse E. M.,
Ferguson A. R.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2005.01610.x
Subject(s) - antigen , germinal center , affinity maturation , antibody , immune system , immunology , adjuvant , biology , chemistry , immunoglobulin m , microbiology and biotechnology , b cell , immunoglobulin g
Secreted IgM is a potent adjuvant that concentrates antigen into secondary lymphoid organs and initiates antibody responses, germinal centre formation and is crucial in resolving infections. The current studies investigated the influence of specific IgM on both the quantity and quality of antibody produced in response to T‐dependent and T‐independent antigens. The addition of IgM to either antigen had no significant effect on the titre or duration of antibody responses. However, the presence of specific IgM led to accelerated affinity maturation when mice were challenged with low doses of IgM‐containing immune complexes (IgM‐IC) of T‐dependent antigens compared with antigen alone. Interestingly, the administration of higher concentrations of IgM‐IC increased follicular deposition of antigen but did not result in accelerated affinity maturation or in higher antibody affinities. The administration of IgM complexed with T‐independent antigens had no effect on antibody titre, duration or affinity maturation, despite increased antigen deposition in lymphoid follicles. Together, these results demonstrate that IgM accelerates affinity maturation in immune responses to T‐dependent antigens and implies an antigen optimum exists for the generation of high affinity antibodies. The data also suggest IgM plays an important role in the induction of CD4 T cells, facilitating germinal centre formation and function.