Molecular mechanisms for B lymphocyte selection: induction and regulation of antigen-receptor-mediated apoptosis of mature B cells in normal mice and their defect in autoimmunity-prone mice

By crosslinking the antigen receptor on the peritoneal B cells of normal mice, we found that strong crosslinking of slg induces apoptosis of mature B cells, suggesting that interaction with membranebound self-antigens may eliminate self-reactive mature B cells by apoptosis

2006

Scholarcy highlights

  • Apoptosis has been suggested to be involved in clonal elimination of selfreactive lymphocytes for the normal function of the immune system
  • By crosslinking the antigen receptor on the peritoneal B cells of normal mice, we found that strong crosslinking of slg induces apoptosis of mature B cells, suggesting that interaction with membranebound self-antigens may eliminate self-reactive mature B cells by apoptosis
  • Antigen-receptor-mediated B cell apoptosis is blocked when a signal is transduced via the CD40 molecule on the B cell surface
  • Because the ligand of CD40 is expressed on activated T helper cells, B cells may escape from apoptosis and are activated when the immune system interacts with foreign antigens, which are normally able to activate T helper cells
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