The functions of antigen recognition in T cell-dependent B cell activation.
B cells get help from T cells by acting as antigen-specific APC. A signal from the B cell antigen receptor is not required for efficient antigen presentation or for the B cell response to T cell help. T cells provide help by making lymphokines, some of which, like CD40 ligand, remain T cell-associated and require cell contact for function. The function of class II MHC is to induce help in the T cell, rather than to deliver help to the B cell. T cell help uses different intracellular signaling pathways from those engaged by the B cell antigen receptor.
Parker
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DC
Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655.
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000502:physiology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D002450:Cell Communication; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*