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Third-party-funded project

Title:
Receptor editing in B cells of normal tonsil tissue and in peripheral B cells of SLE patients

Project management at the University of Würzburg:

• Priv. Doz. Dr. med. Hermann J. Girschick ,Tel: 0931 201 27728,Fax: 0931 201 27242,Mail: Hermann.Girschick@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de

Participating scientists:

• Prof. Dr.med. Peter E. Lipsky , NIH, NIAMS, USA
• Prof. Dr.med. Toshihiro Nanki , Tokyo University

Abstract:
Rearrangement of immunoglobulin genes in B cells is taking place during B cell development in the bone marrow. So far this process was not documented in peripheral lymphoid tissue. However, we could demonstrate significant peripheral receptor editing in human tonsils analyzing RAG1, RAG2 and TdT gene expression. Rearrangement of immunoglobulin genes in perpheral B cells is limited to bone marrow and peripheral lymphoid tissue. We hypothesized that receptor editing in human SLE patients is taking place in B cells of the peripheral blood contributing to the autoimmune B cell pool. We could demonstrate significant receptor editing in human peripheral SLE B cells by analyzing RAG1, RAG2 and TdT gene expression.

Key words:
    Receptor editing
    SLE
    B cells

Projekt period: from 03.1998 to 02.2000

Funding institution:
DFG ,Granting date: 10.12.1997

Publications:

• H.J. Girschick, A.C. Grammer, T. Nanki, M. Mayo, P.E. Lipsky. (2001). RAG1 and RAG2 expression in human tonsil and peripheral blood B cells. 166:377-386. (monograph)
• H.J. Girschick, A.C. Grammer, T. Nanki, P.E. Lipsky. (2002). RAG1 and RAG2 expression in systemic lupus erythematosus. 46:1255-1263. (monograph)