Antigen-specific B-lymphocyte activation.
B lymphocytes comprise a major component of the adaptive mammalian immune system, having the exclusive ability to produce and secrete immunoglobulins (Ig) of various forms (isotypes). This property alone renders B-cell activation critical to immunity, but the fully activated B cell also functions in antigen presentation and the production of a variety of cytokines and chemokines. There are many signals that must be coordinated to achieve and properly regulate antigen-specific B-lymphocyte activation and the development of humoral memory. This review seeks to summarize these components, and to highlight recent advances in each area that contribute to a greater understanding of the complex processes involved in B-cell activation.
Department of Microbiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. gail-bishop@uiowa.edu
Gail A
GA
Bishop
Sokol A
SA
Haxhinasto
Laura L
LL
Stunz
Bruce S
BS
Hostager
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D017578:Immunoglobulin Class Switching; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000941:Antigens; D015703:Antigens, CD; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell