Production of IgM Hexamers by Normal and Autoimmune B Cells: Implications for the Physiologic Role of Hexameric IgM

Abstract excerpt

Secreted IgM is predominantly found as pentameric molecules, but IgM can also be secreted as hexamers by B cell lines. Murine hexamers activate the complement cascade more efficiently than pentamers, but the physiologic significance of hexameric IgM remains unknown. Here, we report that IgM hexamers and pentamers are cleared from the circulation with similar kinetics, suggesting that the predominance of...

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