title: Immunoglobulin class switching.
abstract: Antibody class switching is induced by B-cell activators in the presence of cytokines. The identity of the heavy-chain class to which a B cell is switched is regulated by cytokines and B-cell activators at the level of transcription of unrearranged heavy chain constant genes. Gene-targeting experiments in mice have proved the essential role of these transcripts in switch recombination. Their possible functions are discussed in the context of a model for the mechanisms of class switching.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655-0122, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stavnezer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017578:Immunoglobulin Class Switching; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins