B-cell stimulation.
Recent studies have identified CD40 ligand (CD40L) as the critical membrane-expressed molecule responsible for T cell dependent B-cell activation. CD40L co-operates with various cytokines to induce B-cell activation, proliferation, and immunoglobulin isotype switching. Some antigens, however, can also stimulate B-cell activation and isotype switching in the absence of CD40L or T cells. Recent studies have suggested that cytokines derived from non-T cells, such as natural killer cells, macrophages and mast cells, are responsible for isotype switching in T cell independent responses.
Armitage
R J
RJ
Department of Cellular Immunology, Immunex Research and Development Corporation, Seattle, WA 98101, USA.
Alderson
M R
MR
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*