Somatic hypermutation is a process by which somatic mutations are introduced at a high rate into the variable region parts of immunoglobulin genes. This process is specifically activated in germinal center B cells. As a result of somatic hypermutation, antibody variants are generated that differ by a few aminoacids from the original antibody. In the germinal center reaction, B cells expressing antibodies with increased affinity due to favorable mutations can be selected. Somatic hypermutation may be involved in the generation of B cell lymphomas when non-Ig genes are targeted or when chromosomal translocations happen as mistakes of the process.

 Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

 Hodgkin and Reed/Sternberg Cell