Affinity maturation

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-000318",
  "term": "Affinity maturation",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The process by which B lymphocytes produce antibodies with progressively higher affinity for an antigen during a humoral immune response. This phenomenon occurs in germinal centers within lymphoid organs through somatic hypermutation of antibody genes, followed by selection of B cells expressing higher-affinity receptors. It leads to a more effective and specific immune response upon subsequent antigen exposure.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "see_also": [
    "humoral immune response"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2012, 84, 1113. 'IUPAC glossary of terms used in immunotoxicology (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)' on page 1119 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-11-06-03)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/affinity-maturation/"
}