A checkpoint for autoreactivity in human IgM+ memory B cell development

M Tsuiji, S Yurasov, K Velinzon, S Thomas… - The Journal of …, 2006 - rupress.org
M Tsuiji, S Yurasov, K Velinzon, S Thomas, MC Nussenzweig, H Wardemann
The Journal of experimental medicine, 2006rupress.org
Autoantibodies are removed from the repertoire at two checkpoints during B cell
development in the bone marrow and the periphery. Despite these checkpoints, up to 20%
of the antibodies expressed by mature naive B cells in healthy humans show low levels of
self-reactivity. To determine whether self-reactive antibodies are also part of the antigen-
experienced memory B cell compartment, we analyzed recombinant antibodies cloned from
single circulating human IgM+ memory B cells. Cells expressing antibodies specific for …
Autoantibodies are removed from the repertoire at two checkpoints during B cell development in the bone marrow and the periphery. Despite these checkpoints, up to 20% of the antibodies expressed by mature naive B cells in healthy humans show low levels of self-reactivity. To determine whether self-reactive antibodies are also part of the antigen-experienced memory B cell compartment, we analyzed recombinant antibodies cloned from single circulating human IgM+ memory B cells. Cells expressing antibodies specific for individual bacterial polysaccharides were expanded in the IgM+ memory compartment. In contrast, B cells expressing self-reactive and broadly bacterially reactive antibodies were removed from the repertoire in the transition from naive to IgM+ memory B cell. Selection against self-reactive antibodies was implemented before the onset of somatic hypermutation. We conclude that a third checkpoint selects against self-reactivity during IgM+ memory B cell development in humans.
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