The double life of a B-1 cell: self-reactivity selects for protective effector functions

N Baumgarth - Nature Reviews Immunology, 2011 - nature.com
Nature Reviews Immunology, 2011nature.com
During their development, B and T cells with self-reactive antigen receptors are generally
deleted from the repertoire to avoid autoimmune diseases. Paradoxically, innate-like B-1
cells in mice are positively selected for self-reactivity and form a pool of long-lived, self-
renewing B cells that produce most of the circulating natural IgM antibodies. This Review
provides an overview of the developmental processes that shape the B-1 cell pool in mice,
outlines the functions of B-1 cells in both the steady state and during host defence, and …
Abstract
During their development, B and T cells with self-reactive antigen receptors are generally deleted from the repertoire to avoid autoimmune diseases. Paradoxically, innate-like B-1 cells in mice are positively selected for self-reactivity and form a pool of long-lived, self-renewing B cells that produce most of the circulating natural IgM antibodies. This Review provides an overview of the developmental processes that shape the B-1 cell pool in mice, outlines the functions of B-1 cells in both the steady state and during host defence, and discusses possible functional B-1 cell homologues that exist in humans.
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