Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Isolation and Activation of Murine Lymphocytes
08:08

Isolation and Activation of Murine Lymphocytes

Published on: October 30, 2016

B-cell activity of polyclonal antithymocyte globulins

Martin S Zand1

  • 1Division of Nephrology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. martin_zand@urmc.rochester.edu

Transplantation
|December 14, 2006
PubMed

Polyclonal antithymocyte globulins (AThG) are a subset of antilymphocyte antibody preparations derived from the sera of rabbits or horses immunized with unfractionated cells isolated from pediatric human thymi. In vivo, AThG preparations have been used to successfully treat antibody mediated rejection in kidney transplant recipients. In vitro, AThG can induce apoptosis of naïve and memory B cells and terminally differentiated plasma cells. The presence of B-cell reactive antibodies in AThG results from a thymic inoculum containing a significant percentage of CD20(+) B cells and CD138(+) plasma cells. In this paper, the experimental and clinical evidence supporting the B-cell activity of AThG preparations, and their mechanisms of action, are reviewed.

More Related Videos

Generation of Recombinant Human IgG Monoclonal Antibodies from Immortalized Sorted B Cells10:32

Generation of Recombinant Human IgG Monoclonal Antibodies from Immortalized Sorted B Cells

Published on: June 5, 2015

Single-cell Screening Method for the Selection and Recovery of Antibodies with Desired Specificities from Enriched Human Memory B Cell Populations09:07

Single-cell Screening Method for the Selection and Recovery of Antibodies with Desired Specificities from Enriched Human Memory B Cell Populations

Published on: August 22, 2019

Related Concept Videos

B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
Hybridoma Technology01:31

Hybridoma Technology

Hybridoma technology is used for the large-scale production of monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies bind to only a single antigenic determinant or epitope. Such antibodies are used in research, diagnostics, and disease therapy. The hybridoma technology established in 1975 by Georges Köhler and Cesar Milstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1984 for revolutionizing research and therapy.
Hybridoma Selection
Commonly used fusion techniques — electroporation, polyethylene glycol...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Humoral Immune Responses01:36

Humoral Immune Responses

Overview
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
Special Features of Adaptive Immunity01:20

Special Features of Adaptive Immunity

The adaptive immune system, a crucial component of the overall immune response, offers a highly specialized defense against pathogens. It involves specific cell types and features, enabling it to combat infections effectively and efficiently.
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...