Abstract
The repertoire of antibody variable (V) regions has been subject to evolutionary selection, affecting both the diversity of V region genes in the germline and their expression in the B lymphocyte population and its subsets. In ontogeny, contact with an antigen leads to the expansion of B cells expressing antibodies complementary to it. In a defined phase of B cell differentiation, new sets of V regions are generated from the existing repertoire through somatic hypermutation. Cells carrying advantageous antibody mutants are selected into the memory compartment and produce a stable secondary response upon reexposure to the antigen.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antibodies / genetics*
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Antibody Diversity*
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B-Lymphocytes / physiology*
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Biological Evolution*
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Genes, Immunoglobulin*
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Genes, Switch
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Immunity
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Immunoglobulin Isotypes / genetics
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Immunoglobulin Variable Region / genetics
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Mice
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Mutation
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Selection, Genetic
Substances
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Antibodies
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Immunoglobulin Isotypes
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Immunoglobulin Variable Region
Associated data
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GENBANK/M18481
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GENBANK/M18482
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GENBANK/M18483
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GENBANK/M18484
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GENBANK/M18485
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GENBANK/M18486
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GENBANK/M18487
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GENBANK/M18488
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GENBANK/M18489
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GENBANK/M18490
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GENBANK/M18491
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GENBANK/M18492
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GENBANK/M18493
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GENBANK/M18494
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GENBANK/M18495
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GENBANK/M18496
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GENBANK/M18497
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GENBANK/M18498