title: Determining germinal centre B cell fate.
abstract: The humoral immune system generates immunological memory comprising affinity matured, long-lived memory B cells and plasma cells (PCs), which are generated primarily in germinal centres (GCs). Although many factors are essential in this process, those that specifically govern B cell fate are not fully understood. The provision of T cell help to B cells is key in GC B cell fate determination, and it has become clear recently that this help involves more than direct cell-cell interactions. Recently, the cytokine interleukin (IL)-21 has been identified as a key factor that can modulate the processes within GCs and directly influence B cell fate. In this review, we examine the roles of GC cytokines in the context of cell differentiation.
authors.affiliation: The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zotos
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Tarlinton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002450:Cell Communication; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation