A research team led by Dr.Qi Hai at Tsinghua University has now discovered how ICOS,an important signaling molecule on the surface of T lymphocytes,tells the immune system to make antibodies.B lymphocytes are the cell to produce antibodies.However,these cells cannot do it on their own but require assistance from T lymphocytes.B cells typically live in a tissue environment called follicles,where T cells are not normally found.When the body is infected with germs,immune responses take place and some T cells will move into the follicle to help the B cells with antibody production.However,how T cells migrate into the follicle has not been fully understood.Dr.Qi and his colleagues found that T cells displayed the ICOS molecule on their cell surface.When ICOS is bounded by its ligand on the surface of B cells,it generates signals that make T cells protrude their cell membranes,a prerequisite for the cell to move.When T cells cannot express the ICOS molecule normally,as in patients of the Common Variable Immunodeficiency A research team led by Dr.Qi Hai at Tsinghua University has now discovered how ICOS, an important signaling molecule on the surface of T lymphocytes, tells the immune system to make antibodies. B lymphocytes are the cell to produce antibodies. Yet, these cells can not do it on their own but require require from t lymphocytes. cells living in a tissue environment called follicles, where T cells are not normally found. Who the body is infected with germs, immune responses take place and some T cells will move into the follicle to help the B cells with antibody production. However, T cells migrate into the follicle has not been fully understood. Dr. Qi and his colleagues found that T cells displayed the ICOS molecule on their cell surface. by its ligand on the surface of B cells, it generates signals that make T cells protrude their cell membranes, a prerequisite for the cell to move. Who T cells can not express the ICOS molecule normally, as in patients of the Com mon Variable Immunodeficiency