Age-dependent changes in B lymphocyte development in man and mouse

In recent years, detailed analyses of B cell development in both humans and mice have revealed similar subsets of precursors along the same pathway of differentiation. From these studies it also became clear that both species undergo age related changes in this B lymphocyte development program. Tn t his review we summarize these findings and discuss, potential mechanisms un derlying these age related changes, and possible causative correlations bet ween these changes and age related B cell abnormalities. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.