Immunology: Fifty years of B lymphocytes

[SeymourB]

I think sometimes, the historical explanation of science reveals things the top down explanation does not. I certainly look at chickens a little differently now.

nature.com/news/immunology-...

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

... which is why the B in B Lymphocyte stands for Bursa, which we don't have.

Very good article thanks Seymour. And to think that this was only discovered in many of our lifetimes.

Neil

[splashsplash]

This is a very clear explanation of the difference between T and B cells. I wonder what the difference is between HIV (T cells) and CLL (B cells)

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to splashsplash]

HIV attacks and enters a specific type of helper T cell called CD4+. This cell becomes an HIV factory making more virus that attack more T cells until the CD4 T cells levels become depleted, and secondary opportunistic infections and cancers overtake the patient... acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDs

CD4 T cell depletion is seen in CLL post treatment with chemoimmuno agents like FCR for example... they do return to some extent...

CLL B cells are cloned from a single cell line, (monoclonal) that has genetic damage which is replicated forever... think of CLL B cells as the product of a photocopy machine which can't be turned off or unplugged, with an endless supply of paper and toner, and is printing millions of pages full of spelling errors...

For CLL B cells the term 'stuck on stupid' comes to mind...

~chris

[SeymourB in reply to Cllcanada]

Good metaphor, Chris!

Maybe some of the other cells still try to read each page, which keeps them from doing their jobs, or they think the pages are telling them to turn appliances and lights on or off, or leave windows open or lock the door at the wrong time.

[splashsplash]

Thanks Chris, very clear explanation, I 've always wondered what the difference between HIV and CLL was and now I know.