Beta-lymphocytes

The adaptive immune system has evolved to provide a number of sophisticated defence mechanisms against pathogenic micro-organisms. The principal cells which mediate immune responses are T and B lymphocytes. B cells recognize antigens by means of specific cell surface antibody molecules. In recent years there has been rapid progress in our understanding of the biology and molecular genetics of antibody responses. Considerable advances have also been made in unravelling the regulation of B cell activation by T cells and the cytokines they produce, and how microenvironmental factors determine whether B cells become antibody-producing cells or memory cells. This book provides a review of our current knowledge of the cellular and molecular biology of B lymphocytes.