GATE BT 2023 • Q18
MCQ • 1 Mark
Section 2: General Biotechnology
Cell structure and signaling
Subtopic: Fundamentals of Cell structure and signaling
Question Statement:
Which one of the following is required for the development of B-cells in the bone
marrow?
Options:
-
(A) Stromal cells
-
(B) Dendritic cells
-
(C) Kupffer cells
-
(D) NK cells
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
### **Official Solution & Concept Analysis (GATE BT 2023 Q.18)**
**1. Governing Concept**:
- **Topic**: Immunology & Hematopoiesis (B-Cell Ontogeny)
- In mammalian adult bone marrow, hematopoietic stem cells differentiate into mature, immunocompetent B-cells within specialized microenvironmental niches.
- **Bone marrow stromal cells** are essential: they provide direct cell-cell adhesion contacts (via VCAM-1, VLA-4) and secrete critical cytokine growth factors, predominantly **Interleukin-7 (IL-7)**, required for early B-cell survival, immunoglobulin heavy chain rearrangement, and progression through pro-B and pre-B stages.
**2. Option Analysis**:
- **Option (A) [Stromal cells] is CORRECT**: Provide the essential cellular scaffold and IL-7 for B-cell ontogeny.
- **Option (B) [Dendritic cells] is INCORRECT**: Professional antigen-presenting cells residing in secondary lymphoid tissues and skin.
- **Option (C) [Kupffer cells] is INCORRECT**: Specialized resident macrophages of the liver.
- **Option (D) [NK cells] is INCORRECT**: Innate lymphoid cytotoxic effector cells.
**3. Final Answer**:
- **Correct Choice**: **A**
Practice This in Real CBT Exam Interface
Test yourself with the official TCS-iON palette, virtual calculator, and immediate performance analytics.
Launch CBT Mock Test