Dissecting affinity maturation: a model explaining selection of antibody-forming cells and memory B cells in the germinal centre.
Until recently, the relationship between apoptosis, selection in the germinal centre (GC) and production of high-affinity antibody-forming cells (AFCs) and memory B cells has been unclear. Here, Tarlinton and Smith present a model that accounts for the switch in GC production from high-affinity AFCs to memory B cells, and explain how Bcl-2, an inhibitor of apoptosis, can influence memory cells but not bone marrow AFCs.
Tarlinton
D M
DM
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, PO Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria 3050, Australia. tarlinton@wehi.edu.au
Smith
K G
KG
D000818:Animals; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000502:physiology
D017452:Receptors, IgG