Introduction
The chapters in this section provides an overview on the types of B cells and their characterization. In addition, the functions of the humoral response related to the class of antibody and the differentiation states of B cells are analyzed. These include cell surface expression, the relationship of immunoglobulin class switching, and functional assays for B cell antibody defects. Approaches toward understanding B cell development as well as impairment of B cells in primary and secondary immune deficiencies are briefly considered. Functional titers for measuring serum antibodies are discussed, including those related to typical vaccine components of tetanus, diphtheria, pneumococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae. A key understanding of T-regs and their relationship to autoimmune disorders and inflammatory processes and in tolerance to tumors is provided. The chapters offer a summary of the use of interferon gamma release assays for diagnosis of tuberculosis.
