Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
10
pubmed:dateCreated
1992-11-10
pubmed:abstractText
It is generally considered that tolerance to self antigens is less complete in B than in T lymphocytes. However, B cell tolerance through either functional inactivation (anergy) or clonal deletion has been demonstrated in transgenic mice. In the present study, we investigated whether B cells specific for self A/B histo-blood group antigens can be detected in normal humans. It is a key feature of the ABO system that all normal individuals make natural antibodies against those A or B carbohydrates which are not present in their organism. To detect B cells by the limiting dilution approach we used a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the quantitation of anti-A/B antibodies, and a culture system in which polyclonal B cell activation occurs through cell contact with EL4 thymoma cells. As was reported for other B cell studies, we frequently detected "polyreactive" immunoglobulin (Ig)M (but not IgG) with apparent autoreactivity but of uncertain significance regarding physiologic conditions. However, A- or B-specific B cell responses occurred with selective patterns in agreement with classical blood group serology in 14 individuals with A, B, AB or 0 blood group phenotypes: 1/11,600 B cells made anti-allo A/B IgM and 1/26,500 B cells such as IgG, while only 1/104,000 B cells apparently made anti-self A/B IgM and 1/350,000 B cells such as IgG. This shows self tolerance at the B cell level. Since anergy of B cells can frequently be broken by polyclonal B cell activation in vitro, and EL4 cells are potent B cell stimulators, the present results argue for either a highly resistant anergic state or for clonal deletion of self-A/B histo-blood group-specific human B cells.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Oct
pubmed:issn
0014-2980
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
22
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
2713-7
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1992
pubmed:articleTitle
Self tolerance to human A and B histo-blood group antigens exists at the B cell level and cannot be broken by potent polyclonal B cell activation in vitro.
pubmed:affiliation
Central Laboratory of Hematology, University of Bern, Switzerland.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't