What role do B lymphocytes play in mantle cell lymphoma?
B lymphocytes, or B cells, are white blood cells that are part of your immune system. Their job is to help your body recognize and fight infections by producing proteins called antibodies that tag invading bacteria and viruses for destruction.
In mantle cell Show Full Answer
What role do B lymphocytes play in mantle cell lymphoma?
B lymphocytes, or B cells, are white blood cells that are part of your immune system. Their job is to help your body recognize and fight infections by producing proteins called antibodies that tag invading bacteria and viruses for destruction.
In mantle cell lymphoma, these B cells are found in lymph nodes throughout your body, specifically in a region called the mantle zone (the outer edge of a lymph node). This is where the cancer gets its name.
The problem starts when genetic changes occur in these B cells. One common change is a gene switch (called a translocation) that affects how B cells grow. This causes the B cells in the mantle zone to grow and divide out of control, leading to MCL.
A key genetic feature linked to MCL is the disruption of a protein called cyclin D1. A chromosome error causes cyclin D1 levels to become too high, which is observed in about 98 percent of MCL cases. This overexpression is so strongly linked to MCL that cyclin D1 levels are measured as part of the diagnosis.
Initially, these abnormal B cells grow slowly within the lymph nodes, but they can eventually multiply rapidly and spread to other parts of your body, including the liver, bone marrow, and gastrointestinal tract.
January 19
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