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Soluble antigen can cause enhanced apoptosis of germinal-centre B cells

Nature volume 375, pages 331–334 (1995)Cite this article

Abstract

GERMINAL centres are dynamic microenvironments of B-lympho-cyte differentiation, which develop in secondary lymphoid tissues during immune responses1-3. Within germinal centres, activated B lymphocytes proliferate and point mutations are rapidly introduced into the genes encoding their immunoglobulin receptors4-10. As a result, new specificities of B cells are created, including those with a heightened capacity to bind the immunizing antigen4-11. Immunoglobulin gene mutation can also lead to reactivity to self antigens12-14. It has been suggested that any newly formed self-reactive B cells are eliminated within the germinal centre in order to avoid autoimmunity15,16. Here we present evidence that antigen-specific, high-affinity, germinal-centre B cells are rapidly killed by apoptosis in situ when they encounter soluble antigen. The effect seems to act directly on the B cells, rather than through helper T cells. Furthermore, the apoptosis is unique to germinal-centre cells, and is only incompletely impeded by constitutive expression of the proto-oncogene bcl-2. This phenomenon may reflect clonal deletion of self-reactive B cells within germinal centres.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, 3050, Australia

    Ball Pulendran, Kenneth G. C. Smith & G. J. V. Nossal

  2. Department of Nephrology, PO Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, 3050, Australia

    Kenneth G. C. Smith

  3. LARCH Cancer Research Unit The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

    George Kannourakis & Sara Nouri

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  1. Ball Pulendran
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  2. George Kannourakis
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  4. Kenneth G. C. Smith
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  5. G. J. V. Nossal
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Pulendran, B., Kannourakis, G., Nouri, S. et al. Soluble antigen can cause enhanced apoptosis of germinal-centre B cells. Nature 375, 331–334 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/375331a0

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