Table 1.

Major physiologic functions of B lymphocytes

Precursors of antibody producing plasma cells

Provide noncognate help for T cell activation

Efficient antigen-presenting cells, especially for recall antigens

Produce cytokines (i.e. IL-4 and IL-10) that support the survival other mononuclear cells

Generate and respond to chemotactic factors responsible for leukocyte migration and development of granulation tissue

Sustain immunologic memory