Positive Selection of Natural Autoreactive B Cells
Kyoko Hayakawa,
1*
Masanao Asano,
1
Susan A. Shinton,
1
Ming Gui,
1
David Allman,
1
Colin L. Stewart,
2
Jack Silver,
3
Richard R. Hardy
1
Lymphocyte development is critically influenced by self-antigens. T
cells are subject to both positive and negative selection, depending on
their degree of self-reactivity. Although B cells are subject to
negative selection, it has been difficult to test whether self-antigen
plays any positive role in B cell development. A murine model system of
naturally generated autoreactive B cells with a germ line
gene-encoded specificity for the Thy-1 (CD90) glycoprotein was
developed, in which the presence of self-antigen promotes B cell
accumulation and serum autoantibody secretion. Thus, B cells can be
subject to positive selection, generated, and maintained on the basis
of their autoreactivity.
1 Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase
Cancer Center, 7701 Burholme Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA.
2 Laboratory of Cancer and Developmental Biology,
ABL-Basic Research Program, National Cancer Institute-Fredrick Cancer
Research and Development Center, Fredrick, MD 21702, USA.
3 Division of Molecular Medicine, North Shore
University Hospital, Cornell University Medical College, Manhasset, NY
11030, USA.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
K_Hayakawa{at}fccc.edu
