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The role of SAP and SLAM family molecules in the humoral immune response
Author(s) -
Ma Cindy S.,
Deenick Elissa K.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05824.x
Subject(s) - germinal center , humoral immunity , immune system , biology , b cell , antibody , immunology , hypogammaglobulinemia , immunodeficiency , immunoglobulin class switching , microbiology and biotechnology , acquired immune system , plasma cell
Effective B cell–mediated immunity, including the formation of germinal centers and the generation of high‐affinity memory B cells and long‐lived plasma cells, is dependent on CD4 + T cells. Immunodeficiencies that present with defects in the antibody response have provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of B cell responses and the provision of T cell help. One such immunodeficiency is X‐linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP), which results from mutations in SH2D1A , the gene encoding SLAM‐associated protein (SAP). Patients with XLP present with humoral defects characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia. We now know that SAP, through its signaling downstream of multiple members of the signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) family of cell surface receptors, plays a crucial role in many aspects of this immune response. Here, we discuss the role of SAP in the generation of humoral immunity, particularly T cell–dependent antibody responses and the generation of germinal centers.