Assays for B cell and germinal center development.

ABSTRACT

The study of B cell development is highly relevant for a better understanding of human disorders in which B cells are involved. B cell development in humans appears to proceed largely along a linear pathway and occurs in three compartments bone marrow, peripheral blood, and lymphoid tissue. The focus of this unit is on the detailed immunophenotypic evaluation of cell suspensions obtained from these compartments. These protocols are based on routine methodology, commonly used by clinical flow laboratories. Special emphasis will be placed on the approach to the study of B cell development, including current knowledge regarding immunophenotypic identification of B cell subsets. Multiparameter flow cytometry provides powerful analytical tools, as long as attention is paid to careful design and proper execution of flow cytometric acquisition and analysis. The goal of this unit is to provide a guide to the flow cytometric study of B cell development in humans.