The VH gene repertoire of splenic B cells and somatic hypermutation in systemic lupus erythematosus

Fraser, N.L.W., Rowley, G., Field, M. and Stott, D.I. (2003) The VH gene repertoire of splenic B cells and somatic hypermutation in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Research and Therapy, 5, R114-R121. (doi: 10.1186/ar627)

Abstract

In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) it has been hypothesized that self-reactive B cells arise from virgin B cells that express low-affinity, nonpathogenic germline V genes that are cross-reactive for self and microbial antigens, which convert to high-affinity autoantibodies via somatic hypermutation. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the VH family repertoire and pattern of somatic hypermutation in germinal centre (GC) B cells deviates from normal in SLE. Rearranged immunoglobulin VH genes were cloned and sequenced from GCs of a SLE patient's spleen. From these data the GC V gene repertoire and the pattern of somatic mutation during the proliferation of B-cell clones were determined. The results highlighted a bias in VH5 gene family usage, previously unreported in SLE, and under-representation of the VH1 family, which is expressed in 20–30% of IgM+ B cells of healthy adults and confirmed a defect in negative selection. This is the first study of the splenic GC response in human SLE.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stott I, Professor David and Field, Dr Max
• Authors: Fraser, N.L.W., Rowley, G., Field, M., and Stott, D.I.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Arthritis Research and Therapy
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• ISSN: 1478-6354
• ISSN (Online): 1478-6362