The outcome of an interaction between a T cell and a B cell can be either an immune response or tolerance, depending on the state of activation and differentiation of the interacting cells. A second aim in the laboratory is to explore a role for resting B cells as antigen presenting cells in the induction of helper T cell tolerance to self antigens and transplantation antigens.
B cells can act as antigen-specific antigen presenting cells.
They bind antigen in solution with their antigen receptors, and then internalize, process, and present it to T cells as peptide fragments bound to MHC class II molecules. Depending on the state of activation and differentiation of the interacting T and B cells, the outcome can be either an antibody response or tolerance. T cell-dependent B cell activation. Eynon, E. E., and D. C. Parker. 1993. Parameters of tolerance induction by antigen targeted to B lymphocytes.