title: Murine B cell development: commitment and progression from multipotential progenitors to mature B lymphocytes.
abstract: B lymphocytes, the cellular source of antibody, are critical components of the immune response. They develop from multipotential stem cells, progressively acquiring the traits that allow them to function as mature B lymphocytes. This developmental program is dependent on appropriate interactions with the surrounding environment. These interactions, mediated by cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, provide the growth and differentiation signals that promote progression along the developmental pathway. This chapter addresses the properties of developing B lineage cells and the nature of the environmental signals that support B lineage progression.
authors.affiliation: Wellesley Hospital Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Kee
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Paige
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances