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Journal article

Germinal centers: programmed for affinity maturation and antibody diversification

Abstract:
The seminal discovery by Eisen that antibodies undergo improvements in antigen-binding affinity over the course of an immune response led to a long running search for the underlying mechanism. Germinal centers in lymphoid organs are now recognized to be critically involved in this phenomenon, known as antibody affinity maturation. As well as improving in affinity for specific epitopes, some antibody responses maintain or even increase their breadth of antigen-recognition over time. This has led to another intense line of research aimed at understanding how broadly neutralizing anti-pathogen responses are generated. Recent work indicates that germinal centers also play an important role in the diversification process. We discuss current understanding of how germinal centers are programmed to support both affinity maturation and antibody diversification.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1016/j.coi.2016.12.004

Authors

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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
NDM
Sub department:
NDM Experimental Medicine
Role:
Author


Publisher:
Elsevier
Journal:
Current Opinion in Immunology More from this journal
Volume:
45
Pages:
21-30
Publication date:
2017-01-12
DOI:
EISSN:
1879-0372
ISSN:
0952-7915


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:671537
UUID:
uuid:36f439fc-d017-494f-b077-83cf66eec0e2
Local pid:
pubs:671537
Source identifiers:
671537
Deposit date:
2017-02-20
ARK identifier:

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