title: Immunologic aspects of monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis.
abstract: Monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) is a preclinical hematologic condition wherein small numbers of clonal B cells can be detected in the blood of otherwise healthy individuals. Most MBL have a surface immunophenotype nearly identical to that of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), though other phenotypes can also be identified. MBL has been shown to be a precursor state for CLL, but most MBL clones are quite small and apparently have minimal potential to progress of CLL or other B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (B-LPD). The investigation of MBL as a precursor state for CLL will likely lead to important insights into mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. The review will cover clinical and translational aspects of MBL, with a particular emphasis on the prevalence of MBL; the relationship between MBL, CLL, and other B-LPDs; and the capacity of MBL to modulate the normal B- and T-cell compartments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3872, 1 Trent Drive, Morris Building Room 25153, Durham, NC 27710, USA. mark.lanasa@duke.edu
authors.forename: Mark C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lanasa
authors.forename: J Brice
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Weinberg
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008218:Lymphocytosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell