Mechanisms of selection and differentiation in germinal centers.
The choice between death and survival, a feature of early B cell development, is a choice also faced by mature B cells. If they survive this early developmental decision, mature B cells then face a second choice: either to undergo either terminal differentiation into plasma cells or to differentiate into memory B cells. Antigens, T cell signals (cytokines, CD40 ligand and Fas ligand) as well as the activation state of B cells determine their ultimate fate.
Liu
Y J
YJ
Schering-Plough, Laboratory for Immunological Research, Dardilly, France. HJ.Liu@sch-plough.fr
de Bouteiller
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Fugier-Vivier
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D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation