Adaptive antibody diversification through N-linked glycosylation of the immunoglobulin variable region.

ABSTRACT: A hallmark of B-cell immunity is the generation of a diverse repertoire of antibodies from a limited set of germline V(D)J genes. This repertoire is usually defined in terms of amino acid composition. However, variable domains may also acquire N-linked glycans, a process conditional on the introduction of consensus amino acid motifs (N-glycosylation sites) during somatic hypermutation. High levels of variable domain glycans have been associated with autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis, as well as certain follicular lymphomas. However, the role of these glycans in the humoral immune response remains poorly understood. Interestingly, studies have reported both positive and negative effects on antibody affinity. Our aim was to elucidate the role of variable domain glycans dur

SUBMITTER: van de Bovenkamp FS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5828577 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature