Mechanisms of T cell-B cell interaction.

Abstract

The demonstration that interactions among distinct immunocompetent cell types were required for the generation of most immune responses signalled the beginning of a new era in cellular immunology. The subsequent demon­ strations that these cellular interactions were regulated by cell surface gene products encoded by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) pro­ vided investigators with a precise and potent tool for the dissection of immune cell interactions. In addition, these observations provided the basis for truly dramatic insights into the reasons for the existence of an MHC. Thus, modern day cellular immunology is the offspring of the union be­ tween cell biology and immunogenetics. In this review, we focus on the genetic regulation of the cellular interactions required for the T helper cell-dependent activation of B cells to secrete immunoglobulin. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the general principles that apply for the cellular interactions involved in B cell activation also apply for the cell interactions involved in a broad variety of immune responses.