| basilar cell | <pathology> General term for relatively undifferentiated cells in an epithelial sheet that give rise to more specialised cells act as stem cells). In the stratified squamous epithelium of mammalian skin the basal cells of the epidermis (stratum basale) give rise by an unequal division to another basal cell and to cells that progress through the spinous, granular and horny layers, becoming progressively more keratinised, the outermost being shed as squames. In olfactory mucosa the basal cells give rise to olfactory and sustentacular cells. In the epithelium of epididymis their function is unclear, but they probably serve as stem cells. (13 Nov 1997) |
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| basket cell | Cerebellar neurons with many small dendritic branches that enclose the cell bodies of adjacent Purkinje cells in a basket like array. (18 Nov 1997) |
| basophil cell of anterior lobe of hypophysis | beta cell of anterior lobe of hypophysis |
| B-cell | <haematology, immunology> A type of lymphocyte normally involved in the production of antibodies to combat infection. It is a precursor to a plasma cell. During infections, individual B-cell clones multiply and are transformed into plasma cells, which produce large amounts of antibodies against a particular antigen on a foreign microbe. This transformation occurs through interaction with the appropriate CD4 T-helper cells. (09 Oct 1997) |
| B-cell antigen receptors | In the primary immune response immunoglobulin D and monomeric immunoglobulin M are the B-cell antigen receptors. On memory B-cells, other immunoglobulin molecules can serve as antigen receptors. (05 Mar 2000) |
| B-cell differentiating factor | <cytokine> A soluble cytokine factor produced by activated T-lymphocytes that promotes antibody production by causing proliferation and differentiation of B-cells. Interleukin-4 induces the expression of class II major histocompatibility complex and fc receptors on B-cells. It also acts on T-lymphocytes, mast cell lines, and several other haematopoietic lineage cells including granulocyte, megakaryocyte, and erythroid precursors, as well as macrophages. Acronym: IL-4 (12 Dec 1998) |
| B-cell differentiation/growth factors | Various substances, usually obtained from the supernatant of T-cell cultures, such as interleukin 4, 5, and 6. These substances are necessary for B-cell growth, maturation, and differentiation into plasma cells or B memory cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| B-cell leukaemia | A test which detects the presence of antigens on the surface of B lymphocytes. These antigens can indicate the presence of leukaemia. most often this is used to detect and differentiate chronic lymphocytic leukaemia from acute lymphocytic leukaemia. Origin: Gr. Haima = blood (27 Sep 1997) |
| B-cell stimulatory factor 2 | <cytokine> A cytokine that stimulates the growth and differentiation of human B-cells and is also a growth factor for hybridomas and plasmacytomas. It is produced by many different cells including T-cells, monocytes, and fibroblasts. A single chain 25 kD cytokine originally described as a pre B-cell growth factor, now known to have effects on a number of other cells including T-cells which are also stimulated to proliferate. An inducer of acute phase proteins and a colony-stimulating factor acting on mouse bone marrow. Acronym: IL-6 (12 Dec 1998) |
| beaker cell | 1. <pathology> Cell of the epithelial lining of small intestine that secretes mucus and has a very well developed Golgi apparatus. 2. <zoology> Cell type characteristic of larval lepidopteran midgut, containing a potent H ATPase and thought to be involved in maintenance of ion and pH gradients. (10 Oct 1997) |
| Beale's cell | A bipolar ganglion cell of the heart with one spiral and one straight prolongation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| berry cell | A crenated red blood cell with surface spicules. (05 Mar 2000) |
| beta cell | 1. <pathology> Cells of the pancreas within discrete endocrine islands (Islets of Langerhans) embedded in the major exocrine tissue of vertebrate pancreas. The B or beta cells (originally distinguished by differential staining from A, C and D), are responsible for synthesis and secretion of insulin, a hormone that controls the level of glucosein the blood. 2. Also refers to the beta cells of the anterior lobe of hypophysis. These are a population of functionally diverse cell's that contain basophilic granules and secrete hormones such as ACTH, lipotropin, thyrotropin, and the gonadotropins. Synonym: basophil cell of anterior lobe of hypophysis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| beta-cell src-homology tyrosine kinase | <enzyme> A murine frk (fyn-related kinase) homolog; genbank l36132; do not confuse with brain-specific kinase bsk Registry number: EC 2.7.1.- Synonym: beta-cell sh tk, bsk protein, sh tk, bsk gene product, sh tk (26 Jun 1999) |
| betz cell | Large pyramidal cells in the motor cortex of the precentral gyrus of the motor cortex. (27 Sep 1997) |