The end can justify the means.
The generation of a pre-immune repertoire of B lymphocyte specificities is a prerequisite for subsequent antigen-dependent antibody responses. In avian species the bursa of Fabricius plays a central role in the development of B lineage cells and in the generation of antibody diversity. Apart from its segregation into the bursa, the pathway of avian B cell development differs from that seen in mammalian species by a number of other criteria. In particular the chicken has evolved a remarkable mechanism for the diversification of immunoglobulin V region genes. Here we review some of the key features by which avian and mammalian B cell development differ.
Ratcliffe
M J
MJ
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Paramithiotis
E
E
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D002645:Chickens; D015322:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008322:Mammals
D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region