Surface Receptors in B Lymphocyte Activation by Antigens

The surface of B lymphocytes exhibits a variety of receptors for antigens, for viruses and for hormones, in addition to other molecules for which no receptor function is yet known. They also possess specific B and histocompatibility antigens. All these molecules have been the subject of intensive study, not only because their function may be important in elucidating immunologic functions of B lymphocytes, but also because they provide a precise tool to study membrane structure and its relation to function.