title: Regulation of human B lymphocyte responsiveness.
abstract: Regulation of human B cell responses is a complex process involving the activities of a variety of cells and cytokines. There are important differences between the regulation of human and murine B lymphocytes, especially with regard to the action of IL2 and IL4. In man, IL2 appears to play a central role in regulating B cell activation, proliferation and differentiation, whereas IL4 plays a regulatory role by inhibiting initial B cell activation. Above and beyond providing regulatory cytokines, activated human T cells can also directly stimulate B cell differentiation by a process that requires cellular contact. A better understanding of the nature of signal transduction during interactions between B cells and activated T cells and provided by the various cytokines should provide additional insight into the regulation of B cell function in man.
authors.affiliation: Harold C. Simmons Arthritis Research Center, Dallas, Texas.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Lipsky
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirohata
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Jelinek
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McAnally
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Splawski
mesh_terms: D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000502:physiology; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007378:Interleukins / Q000502:physiology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007378:Interleukins; D015847:Interleukin-4