ISSN:
1432-2196
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Conclusions In this review, I have outlined some of the biological consequences of antibody binding to lymphocyte membrane structures, using simple laboratory models. The potential complexities following from the interaction of this simple event with factors outside the cell have been explored. One such example was the different effect of antibody binding to membrane immunoglobulins of B cells, which was seen to depend on the presence or absence of T cell influences. Another was the effect of different classes of antibody coating of cells on their handling by the reticuloendothelial system. A third potential complexity was the case of membrane IgM of B lymphocytes, where the outcome of antibody binding depended on the state of maturity of the cell. The number of antibody specificities that has been discussed has been relatively small and little mention has been made of receptors on cells outside the lymphoid system. It is conceivable that many antibody specificities might be detrimental to the health of the cell producing that antibody. Thus, we may have a biased view. Nonetheless, I do believe that the “reductionist” approach to complex phenomena is very powerful, provided that one keeps the limitations of experimental simplifications firmly in mind. Of course, the situation in real-life autoimmune disease is, certain to be more complex.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01857431
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