Antigen affinity maturation

Affinity maturation of antibodies has been achieved by the introduction of diversity into the V-genes, which then creates diversity within the antigen binding sites. This secondary library is then subjected to a selection that will enrich high affinity variants. More or less random diversity may be introduced by altering variable domain pairings in a process called... 

Remaining B-lymphocytes in the bone marrow have the potential to respond to an enormous number of foreign substances (antigens). Once exposed to antigens, the cells, which have the best fit antibody to the target, undergo clonal expansion to increase the cell numbers and affinity maturation to increase the specificity (fit) of the antibody molecules produced. 

Anti-dsDNA Antibodies Are Antigen-Driven. There is evidence that variable regions of both heavy and light chains of both murine and human monoclonal anti-dsDNA antibodies are produced after an affinity maturation process via isotype switching, clonal selection, and somatic mutation (D5, D9, Wll, C16, V3). These findings suggest that anti-dsDNA antibodies are produced by an... 

In vivo antibodies are affinity matured in a stepwise fashion, by gradually incorporating mutations that cause small incremental improvements in the affinity which provide selective advantages. From the structure of affinity-matured antibodies it appears that many mutations affect affinity indirectly by influencing the positioning of side chains contacting the antigen [73], Mutant... 

Polysaccharides are T-independent antigens [26] and as a general rule the response to polysaccharides occurs 3-18 months after birth in humans, but it depends on the CPS structure generally, children less than 2 years of age respond poorly. Immunological memory is not induced and as a result no boosting of the antibody response takes place on reimmunization. The affinity maturation and isot) e switching of the antibody repertoire is absent. 

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