HARMFUL SOMATIC MUTATIONS - LESSONS FROM THE DARK SIDE

The ability of somatic mutation to modify the course of an immune resp onse is well documented. However, emphasis has been placed almost excl usively on the ability of somatic mutation to improve the functional c haracteristics of representative antibodies. The harmful effects of so matic mutation, its dark side, have been far less well characterized. Yet evidence suggests that the number of B cells directed to wastage p athways as a result of harmful somatic mutation probably far exceeds t he number of cells whose antibodies have been improved. Here we review our recent findings in understanding the structural and functional co nsequences of V-region mutation.