Abstract
Three remarkable and unique features of the immune system are specificity, diversity, and memory. Immunological memory involves both T and B cells and results in a secondary antibody response that is faster, of higher affinity, and results in the secretion of non-IgM isotypes of Ig. In this review we discuss the properties of memory T and B cells, their specific receptors, and the events which occur both in the nucleus and on the cell surface during generation and activation of these cells. Although memory T and B cells use different mechanisms to elaborate memory, there are a number of interesting analogies: lymphokines vs antibodies and affinity maturation of B cell antigen receptors vs upregulation of adhesion molecules on T cells. Finally, we discuss the importance of these cells in health and disease and suggest what impact additional information about these cells might have on the manipulation of the immune response.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 193-217 |
Number of pages | 25 |
Journal | Annual review of immunology |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 1 |
State | Published - 1991 |
Keywords
- Activation
- Antibody response
- Isotypes switching
- Lymphocytes
- Lymphokines
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology