Somatic hypermutations confer rheumatoid factor activity in hepatitis C virus-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most frequent cause of mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), which is characterized by endothelial deposition of rheumatoid factor (RF)-containing immune complexes and end-organ vasculitis. MC is a lymphoproliferative disorder in which B cells express RF-like Ig, yet its precise antigenic stimulus is unknown. We have proposed that IgG-HCV immune complexes stimulate B cell expansion and somatic hypermutation (SHM)-induced affinity maturation in part via engagement of an RF-like B cell receptor. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that SHM augments RF activity.

Methods

RFs cloned from single B cells from 4 patients with HCV-associated MC (HCV-MC) were expressed as IgM, IgG, or IgG Fab. Selected Ig were reverted to germline. RF activ

SUBMITTER: Charles ED 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4026862 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature