Invariance and restriction toward a limited set of self-antigens characterize neonatal IgM antibody repertoires and prevail in autoreactive repertoires of healthy adults.

L Mouthon, A Nobrega, N Nicolas… - Proceedings of the …, 1995 - National Acad Sciences
L Mouthon, A Nobrega, N Nicolas, SV Kaveri, C Barreau, A Coutinho, MD Kazatchkine
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1995National Acad Sciences
Analysis of the reactivity of IgM with self-antigens in tissues by a quantitative immunoblotting
technique showed striking invariance among newborns in the human and in the mouse. The
self-reactive repertoire of IgM of adults was also markedly conserved; it comprised most anti-
self reactivities that prevailed among neonates. Multivariate analysis confirmed the
homogeneity of IgM repertoires of neonates toward self-and non-self-antigens. Multivariate
analysis discriminated between newborn and adult repertoires for reactivity with two of five …
Analysis of the reactivity of IgM with self-antigens in tissues by a quantitative immunoblotting technique showed striking invariance among newborns in the human and in the mouse. The self-reactive repertoire of IgM of adults was also markedly conserved; it comprised most anti-self reactivities that prevailed among neonates. Multivariate analysis confirmed the homogeneity of IgM repertoires of neonates toward self- and non-self-antigens. Multivariate analysis discriminated between newborn and adult repertoires for reactivity with two of five sources of self-proteins and with non-self-antigens. Our observations support the concept that naturally activated B lymphocytes are selected early in development and throughout life for reactivity with a restricted set of self-antigens.
National Acad Sciences