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

J Exp Med. 2006 Feb 20;203(2):393-400. doi: 10.1084/jem.20052033. Epub 2006 Jan 30.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
  • Antigens, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Autoantibodies / biosynthesis*
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes / microbiology
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin M / biosynthesis*
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region / genetics
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / immunology
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / immunology
  • Staphylococcal Protein A / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Immunoglobulin Variable Region
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial
  • Staphylococcal Protein A
  • streptococcal protective antigen