Human B cells: differentiation and neoplasia.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Hematology
• Oncology

Background:

• Human B cells undergo distinct differentiation phases from stem cells to immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells.
• These differentiation stages are mirrored in B cell malignancies, making their study vital for understanding B cell neoplasia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of human B cell differentiation.
• To correlate differentiation stages with the clinical spectrum of B cell leukemias and lymphomas.

Main Methods:

• Review of B cell surface immunoglobulin expression and monoclonal antibody-defined molecules.
• Discussion of immunoglobulin gene rearrangement and molecular defects detected by Southern blotting.
• Description of common phenotype patterns in B cell neoplasia entities.

Main Results:

• Detailed characterization of B cell differentiation phenotypes.
• Correlation of specific phenotypes with distinct B cell leukemias and lymphomas.
• Identification of key molecular events in B cell development and malignancy.

Conclusions:

• Knowledge of B cell differentiation is essential for understanding B cell neoplasia.
• Phenotypic and molecular analyses are critical for classifying and diagnosing B cell leukemias and lymphomas.
• This review provides a framework for appreciating the spectrum of B cell malignancies.