B cell
B cells are lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Once the B cell is activated, it turns into a plasma cell,[a] and starts producing antibodies. They are a vital part of the adaptive immune system. They have a protein on the B cell's outer surface known as a 'B cell receptor'. This allows a B cell to bind to a specific antigen.
| B cell | |
|---|---|
| |
| The cells of the immune system form cells that remember the pathogen for future infections. | |
| Latin | lymphocytus B |
The main functions of B cells are:
- to make antibodies against antigens,
- to perform the role of antigen-presenting cells (APCs),
- to develop into memory B cells after activation by antigen interaction.
Recently, a new, suppressive function of B cells has been discovered.[1]
In mammals, immature B cells are formed in the bone marrow, hence their name.[2]
B Cell Media
Early B cell development: from stem cell to immature B cell
Transitional B cell development: from immature B cell to MZ B cell or mature (FO) B cell
B cell activation: from immature B cell to plasma cell or memory B cell
Basic B cell function: bind to an antigen, receive help from a cognate helper T cell, and differentiate into a plasma cell that secretes large numbers of antibodies
T-dependent B cell activation
Histology of a normal lymphoid follicle, with germinal center in the middle.
Plasmablast, Wright stain.
Note
- ↑ Plasma cell = cell which makes antibodies
References
- ↑ Mauri, Claudia; Bosma, Anneleen (2012). "Immune regulatory function of B Cells". Annual Review of Immunology. 30: 221–41. doi:10.1146/annurev-immunol-020711-074934. PMID 22224776.
- ↑ Alberts B. et al 2002. Molecular biology of the cell. Garland Science: New York, pg 1367.
Other websites
- B Cells and T Cells Archived 2010-08-04 at the Wayback Machine
- B Cell Development and Generation of Lymphocyte Diversity Archived 2010-07-02 at the Wayback Machine
- Interactive Animation of B Cell Maturation (requires Flash video software)