3 Review(s)

An exciting trend in B-cell biology is the growing recognition of the importance of natural antibodies to immune defence. B-1 cells are a substantial source of natural antibodies. This workshop brought together many of the leading people in this field to discuss the current status of B-1 cells, their developmental origin and their function. This field is still in its infancy and there is not yet universal agreement on how to define natural antibodies or B-1 cells. Many of the papers in this book address these issues. The association of B-1 cells and natural antibody producing cells to B-cell neoplasia are increasing. These are potentially important issues because of the increasing incidence of B-cell tumors in humans.