Cellular Aspects of Polyclonal Activation of B Lymphocytes

The responses of B lymphocytes to exogenous stimulation can be antigen-specific or non-specific. Non-specific stimulation by a single agent activates a multitude of clones of B cells, each secreting antibody of pre-programmed specificity. In this review Michael Goodman examines how polyclonal activation of B cells can be achieved, and the relationship between such stimulation and DNA synthesis, considers the evidence for and against the existence of B-cell subpopulations responsive to different polyclonal activators, and looks at the ways in which polyclonal activation is regulated.