B-cell tolerance.

Journal article

Autoreactive B cells are actively tolerized to more abundant self-antigens by a series of checkpoints involving receptor editing, deletion, anergy and competition for growth factors. In contrast, B cells reactive against rare, sequestered or tissue specific self-antigens remain functionally naïve. During an immune response, the autoimmune danger from these cells is countered by a variety of mechanisms comprising control of self-antigen presentation, limitation of immunogenic and tolerogenic costimuli including T cell help, homeostatic control of growth and strict regulation of germinal centre reactions. In this overview we consider how knowledge of these checkpoints may be used to gain a better understanding of transplant tolerance and the generation of alloantibodies.

Authors: Ferry, H; Leung, J; Lewis, G; Nijnik, A; Silver, K

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Transplantation
• Volume: 81
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 308-315
• Publication date: 2006-02-01
• DOI: 10.1097/01.tp.0000203830.79357.39
• EISSN: 1534-6080
• ISSN: 0041-1337
• Language: English
• Keywords: Transplantation Immunology; Autoimmunity; Humans; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; B-Lymphocytes; Autoantigens; Clonal Anergy; Transplantation Tolerance