B lymphocyte activation during cognate interactions with CD4+ T lymphocytes: molecular dynamics and immunologic consequences

Abstract

Productive interaction between T and B lymphocytes is required for humoral immune responses to many foreign protein antigens and production of pathogenic antibodies characteristic of several autoimmune conditions. Thus, much attention has been given in recent years to understand the dynamic molecular interactions and signal transduction required for productive T-B interaction. In this review we highlight current knowledge of signaling and biologic responses that occur in B cells during cognate interactions with helper T cells, focusing on the dynamic function of B cell-surface molecules in T-B synapses.