title: B cells and B cell products-helping to restore cellular immunity?
abstract: T cells that provide vital protection against tumors, viruses and intracellular bacteria are thought to develop independently of B cells. However, recent discoveries suggest that development of T cells depends on B cells. One way B cells promote T cell development is by providing diverse peptides that may promote positive selection of thymocytes. Diverse peptides and B cells help in diversification of the T cell receptor repertoire and may decrease cross-reactivity in the mature T cell compartment. These new insights may provide the basis for the design of novel therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Transplantation Biology Program and the Departments Surgery, Immunology and Pediatrics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Marilia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cascalho
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Platt