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B cells, also known as B lymphocytes, are a type of white blood cell of the lymphocyte subtype. [1] They function in the humoral immunity component of the adaptive immune system. [1] B cells produce antibody molecules which may be either secreted or inserted into the plasma membrane where they serve as a part of B-cell receptors. [2]
A B-cell receptor includes both CD79 and the immunoglobulin. The plasma membrane of a B cell is indicated by the green phospholipids. The B- cell receptor extends both outside the cell (above the plasma membrane) and inside the cell (below the membrane). The B-cell receptor (BCR) is a transmembrane protein on the surface of a B cell.
Transitional B cells are B cells at an intermediate stage in their development between bone marrow immature cells and mature B cells in the spleen.Primary B cell development takes place in the bone marrow, where immature B cells must generate a functional B cell receptor (BCR) and overcome negative selection induced by reactivity with autoantigens. [1]
Germinal center B cells may differentiate into memory B cells or plasma cells. Most of these B cells will become plasmablasts (or "immature plasma cells"), and eventually plasma cells, and begin producing large volumes of antibodies. Some B cells will undergo a process known as affinity maturation. [9]
B Cell Growth and Differentiation Factors (also known as BCGF and BCDF) are two important groups of soluble factors controlling the life cycle of B cells (also referred to as B lymphocytes, cells which perform functions including: antibody secretion, antigen presentation, preservation of memory for antigens, and lymphokine secretion). [1]
These B cells produce IgM antibodies to help clear infection. [20] T-bet memory B cells. T-bet B cells are a subset that have been found to express the transcription factor T-bet. T-bet is associated with class switching. T-bet B cells are also thought to be important in immune responses against intracellular bacterial and viral infections. [21]
In immunology, a naive B cell is a B cell that has not been exposed to an antigen. These are located in the tonsils , spleen , and primary lymphoid follicles in lymph nodes . Once exposed to an antigen , the naive B cell either becomes a memory B cell or a plasma cell that secretes antibodies specific to the antigen that was originally bound.
In mice, MZ B cells characteristically express high levels of CD1d, which is an MHC class I-like molecule involved in the presentation of lipid molecules to NKT cells. [8] Unlike FO B cells, MZ B cells express polyreactive BCRs that bind to multiple microbial molecular patterns. Additionally, they express high levels of TLRs. [2]