Harmful somatic mutations: lessons from the dark side.

The ability of somatic mutation to modify the course of an immune response is well documented. However, emphasis has been placed almost exclusively on the ability of somatic mutation to improve the functional characteristics of representative antibodies. The harmful effects of somatic mutation, its dark side, have been far less well characterized. Yet evidence suggests that the number of B cells directed to wastage pathways as a result of harmful somatic mutation probably far exceeds the number of cells whose antibodies have been improved. Here we review our recent findings in understanding the structural and functional consequences of V-region mutation.