Noncognate function of B cells in transplantation.
How B cells affect the outcome of transplants is a question of enduring interest. Initial efforts to answer that question suggested, wrongly, that B cells have no impact on transplantation. Now, however, B cells are known to influence not only the outcome of vascularized grafts through the production of anti-donor antibodies but also the competence of cellular immunity through a number of physiologic functions. In this study, we explain why the importance of B cells was overlooked in the past and consider the range of noncognate functions of B cells that may determine the outcome of transplants.
Balin
Samuel J
SJ
Department of Surgery and Microbiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Platt
Jeffrey L
JL
Cascalho
Marilia
M
D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000502:physiology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines