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Autoreactive B cells are actively tolerized to more abundant self-antigens by a series of checkpoints involving receptor editing, deletion, anergy and competition for growth factors. In contrast, B cells reactive against rare, sequestered or tissue specific self-antigens remain functionally naïve. During an immune response, the autoimmune danger from these cells is countered by a variety of mechanisms comprising control of self-antigen presentation, limitation of immunogenic and tolerogenic costimuli including T cell help, homeostatic control of growth and strict regulation of germinal centre reactions. In this overview we consider how knowledge of these checkpoints may be used to gain a better understanding of transplant tolerance and the generation of alloantibodies.

Original publication

DOI

10.1097/01.tp.0000203830.79357.39

Type

Journal article

Journal

Transplantation

Publication Date

15/02/2006

Volume

81

Pages

308 - 315

Keywords

Autoantigens, Autoimmunity, B-Lymphocytes, Clonal Anergy, Humans, T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer, Transplantation Immunology, Transplantation Tolerance