Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
06:07
Measuring Mitochondrial Function of Naïve and Effector CD8 T Cells
Published on: March 28, 2025
B cell tolerance--how to make it and how to break it
1Department of Cell Biology, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland. fritz.melchers@unibas.ch
Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|May 27, 2006
Summary
Defects in B cell tolerance checkpoints can lead to autoimmune diseases. This occurs when B cells that react to self-antigens survive and are activated by T cells, producing harmful autoantibodies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Autoimmunity
- B cell biology
Background:
- B cell development involves checkpoints to eliminate self-reactive cells.
- Failures in these checkpoints can lead to autoimmune diseases mediated by B cells and autoantibodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explain the mechanisms by which B cell tolerance defects lead to autoimmune diseases.
- To highlight the role of T cell help and B cell intrinsic factors in this process.
Main Methods:
- The study is primarily a conceptual review and mechanistic explanation.
- It synthesizes existing knowledge on B cell tolerance, T cell activation, and germinal center reactions.
Main Results:
- Defects in B cell tolerance checkpoints allow autoreactive B cells to survive and proliferate.
- T cell help can activate these B cells, leading to germinal center formation, Ig class switching, and hypermutation.
- Selection of high-avidity autoantigen-reactive B cells by autoantigens drives autoantibody production.
Conclusions:
- Breakdown of B cell tolerance is a critical step in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Autoantigen selection of autoreactive B cells promotes the development and propagation of autoimmunity.
More Related Videos
06:10Non-Viral Engineering of Primary Human T Cells via Homology-Mediated End-Joining Targeted Integration of Large DNA Templates
Published on: May 9, 2025
11:34A Simple and Efficient Method for Testing Immunomodulatory Agents for Generation of Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells from Human CD14+ Monocytes
Published on: April 11, 2025
Related Concept Videos
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
02:36Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Cell size is a significant factor impacting cellular design, function, and fitness. There exists some internal coordination by which cells double their masses before division, thus, achieving homeostasis. Coordination between cell growth and proliferation depends on the checkpoints in between cell cycle phases. Loss of coordination or failure in the checkpoint mechanism can drive the cell to uncontrolled growth and loss of cellular function. Like dividing cells that coordinate cellular growth,...
01:21Cell Culture
Most vertebrate cells grow in vitro attached to a substrate as a monolayer, called adherent cultures. The flasks and plates used to grow cells are chemically treated to facilitate cell attachment. However, a few cell types, such as hematopoietic cells, can grow in a suspension. In contrast to adherent cultures, suspension cultures can grow in non-treated cultureware using magnetic stirrers or spinner flasks to agitate the culture media
01:16Cell Lines
A cell line is a population of cells grown in vitro that can be subcultured over several generations. Normal cells cease to divide after a certain number of cell divisions, a process known as replicative senescence. This number, called the Hayflick limit, was conceptualized by Leonard Hayflick in 1961 when he observed that fetal cells grown in culture could only divide 40-60 times. This limit is due to the shortening of the telomeres during each round of cell division, preventing cell division...
01:20Special Features of Adaptive Immunity
The adaptive immune system, a crucial component of the overall immune response, offers a highly specialized defense against pathogens. It involves specific cell types and features, enabling it to combat infections effectively and efficiently.
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
01:24B Cell Activation and Differentiation
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...