The development of B cells progresses through six stages defined by the rearrangement and expression of immunoglobulin genes in the bone marrow and secondary lymphoid tissues. In the bone marrow, B cells undergo successive gene rearrangements of the heavy and light chain loci, with productive rearrangements allowing the cells to progress while unproductive rearrangements may lead to additional rearrangements or cell death if none are productive. Expression of rearranged immunoglobulin genes terminates further rearrangement and allows the cells to mature and migrate to secondary lymphoid tissues to complete development.

1. Chapter 6 The Development Of B-lymphocytes

4. The Development Of B Cells Can Be Divided Into six Broad Phases

6. The Development Of B Cells In The Bone Marrow

10. B Cell Development Proceeds Through Stages Defined By The Rearrangement & Expression Of The Ig Genes

16. Interactions Of Developing B Cells With Bone Marrow Stromal Cells S L S Light micrograph Electron micrograph

19. If one allele rearranges non-productively, then the B cell rearranges the other allele. If this also fails and no rearranged heavy or light chain results the cell will die.

20. The Order Of Gene Rearrangements Leading To The Expression Of Cell-surface Ig Occurs concurrently on two copies of H-chain loci.

21. The Order Of Gene Rearrangements Leading To The Expression Of Cell-surface Ig About half of B cells can make functional heavy chain

22. The Order Of Gene Rearrangements Leading To The Expression Of Cell-surface Ig 5-6 rounds of cell division.

23. The Order Of Gene Rearrangements Leading To The Expression Of Cell-surface Ig Less than half of the B cells produce a functional antibody.

25. Unproductive L-chain Gene Rearrangements Can Be Replaced By Further Gene Rearrangement Rescue is shown for the  light-chain gene

37. Chromosomal Rearrangements In Burkitt’s Lymphoma

41. Selection And Further Development Of The B-cell Repertoire Mechanisms That Eliminate Or Inactivate Potentially Autoreactive B Cells Now Come Into Action

44. Binding To self-Ag In The Bone Marrow Can Lead To The Deletion Or Inactivation Of Immature B Cells

47. Developing B cells strongly interacts with self-antigen. Continued synthesis of RAG proteins allows light chain rearrangement.

53. Encounter With Antigen Leads To The Differentiation Of Activated B Cells Into Plasma Cells And Memory B Cells

56. Population Dynamics Of B Cells