Method of testing the effect of a molecule on B lymphocyte function.

摘要

A method of testing the effect of an agonist or an antagonist to B lymphocyte cell surface protein CD20 in B lymphocyte function which involves determining calcium ion flux across the B lymphocyte membrane, contacting the B lymphocyte with the agonist or antagonist, and determining the change in calcium ion flux across the membrane after exposure of the B lymphocyte to the agonist or antagonist, is described. In preferred embodiments of the method the agonist or antagonist is a ligand that binds CD20 or an antibody to CD20. In other preferred embodiments, calcium ion flux is more preferably determined in terms of transmembrane current flow and most preferrably determined in terms of the change in cytosolic Ca<2><+> concentration.