Introduction
摘要
This chapter serves as a compendious summary of the book, encapsulating the essence of B cell biology and their multifaceted roles within the immune system. It traces the historical discovery of B cells in the 1960s and their subsequent ascent to prominence in immunological studies. The chapter delves into the structure and function of B cell receptors (BCRs), their signaling mechanisms, and the intricate dialogues they engage in with other immune cells. It underscores the book’s comprehensive exploration of B cells’ involvement in a spectrum of diseases, from autoimmune to infectious, and the burgeoning field of B cell therapies. This chapter is a distillation of the book’s mission—to equip readers with a profound understanding of B cells, their biological characteristics, and their significance in health and disease, making it an invaluable resource for immunology scholars, medical students, and the intellectually curious.