Functional B-lymphocyte surface antigens.

The article focuses on the functional B-lymphocyte surface antigens. The differentiation of B cells is thought to be a multistep process involving a number of different signals. Although the number and physiological relevance of these signals are still controversial, surface immunoglobuling (IgG) is clearly not the sole surface molecule involved in this process. Earlier studies of functional human B-cell surface antigen relied on the use of antisera. The IgG and F(ab)₂ fragment were found to induce thymidine incorporation in B cells. The optimal concentrations were very high and the methodology for B-cell stimulation was not given. Whether the effect is B-cell specific or not cannot be ascertained.