Figure 4.

 A proposed model of the development and outcome of B cells carrying the BCL2/IGH translocation in normal individuals. Deregulated BCL2‐expressing B cells show suppressed differentiation to marginal zone B cells and differentiation preference toward follicular B cells. The follicular B cells are suppressed in apoptotic cell death and are less responsive to terminal differentiation stimuli, resulting in accumulation of follicular B cells. The cells have been shown to undergo somatic mutation upon antigen stimulation in a normal environment, rendering these cells into a premalignant niche. FO, follicular B cells; MZ, marginal zone B cells; PC, plasma cells.