title: Two major classes of mitogen-reactive B lymphocytes defined by life span.
abstract: The relative numbers of short- and long-lived mitogen-reactive B cells in the peripheral pool were evaluated by studying the decay of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-reactive B lymphocytes in LPS nonresponder, histocompatible hosts for periods of up to 3 wk after cell transfer. The results obtained demonstrate the existence of two major classes of mitogen-reactive B cells defined by life span. The "short-lived" cell component comprises about 80 to 90% of the reactive cells and decays with a life expectancy of 18 to 24 hr. The long-lived cell component, with life expectancies of 10 to 20 days, comprises about 10 to 20% of the reactive cells and is preferentially enriched in circulating B cells. The present ratio for short- and long-lived B cells implies a highly dynamic state for the immune system which must be advantageous in the selection of available repertoires.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D008070:Lipopolysaccharides