Lymphokines active in B cell proliferation and differentiation.
Activation of B cells from a resting to an Ig-secreting cell is a multistep event regulated by T cells and their products. These steps include (1) induction of the clonally selected B cell, (2) growth, and (3) maturation of the proliferating cell to Ig secretion. In model systems, induction can be achieved either by direct signalling to the B cells by T cells recognizing surface structures without Ig involvement or, alternatively, via Ig only. Under physiologic conditions a cooperativity of the two events is assumed. Following induction, B cells are supposed to express receptors for growth and maturation factors produced by the neighboring T cell. Growth and differentiation are mediated by distinct molecules.
D000818:Animals; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002453:Cell Cycle; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000276:immunology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015847:Interleukin-4; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D006133:Growth Substances; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D008222:Lymphokines; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015847:Interleukin-4