AID expression during B-cell development: searching for answers

Immunol Res. 2011 Apr;49(1-3):3-13. doi: 10.1007/s12026-010-8185-7.

Abstract

Expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) by germinal center (GC) B cells drives the processes of immunoglobulin (Ig) somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination (CSR) necessary for the generation of high affinity IgG serum antibody and the memory B-cell compartment. Increasing evidence indicates that AID is also expressed at low levels in developing B cells but to date, this early, developmentally regulated AID expression has no known function. Does the timing and extent of AID expression in developmentally immature, non-GC B cells provide clues to reveal its physiologic role?

MeSH terms

  • AICDA (Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase)
  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cytidine Deaminase / genetics*
  • Gene Expression
  • Germinal Center / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin Class Switching / genetics*
  • Immunoglobulin Class Switching / immunology*
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis
  • Mice
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Somatic Hypermutation, Immunoglobulin / genetics*
  • Somatic Hypermutation, Immunoglobulin / immunology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulin G
  • AICDA (Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase)
  • Cytidine Deaminase