3,326
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
→Plasma cells
<p>Plasma cells produce immunoglobulins/antibodies (thousands a second). The immunoglobulin binding specificity is identical to the binding specificity of the BCR on the [[Lymphocytes - WikiBlood#B cells|B cell]] that the cell has differentiated from. This means that when a [[Lymphocytes - WikiBlood#B cells|B cell]] has a BCR that can effectively bind to an antigen the immunoglobulins produced by the plasma cell can bind to that antigen.</p>
<p>Plasma cells produce immunoglobulins/antibodies (thousands a second). The immunoglobulin binding specificity is identical to the binding specificity of the BCR on the [[Lymphocytes - WikiBlood#B cells|B cell]] that the cell has differentiated from. This means that when a [[Lymphocytes - WikiBlood#B cells|B cell]] has a BCR that can effectively bind to an antigen the immunoglobulins produced by the plasma cell can bind to that antigen.</p>
<p>Although they can live for months most plasma cells only live for a few days and do not replicate in this time.</p>
<p>Although they can live for months most plasma cells only live for a few days and do not replicate in this time.</p>
Interaction of a B-cell with antigen results in clonal expansion, as does activation by T-cells. The majority of B-cell clones mature into plasma cells. Plasma cells are found in the splenic [[Spleen - Anatomy & Physiology#Red Pulp|red pulp]], [[Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology#Lymph Nodes|lymph node medulla]] and [[Bone Marrow - Anatomy & Physiology|bone marrow]]. Plasma cells are the terminal differentiation state of B-cells. Their whose function is to secrete antibody.
===Class switching===
===Class switching===
<p>Initially plasma cell produce IgM however this is not always the most appropriate Ig to be produced and therefore stimulation by [[Lymphocytes - WikiBlood#Helper CD4+|T cells]] and interleukins causes the plasma cells to undergo class switching to produce different classes of Ig.
<p>Initially plasma cell produce IgM however this is not always the most appropriate Ig to be produced and therefore stimulation by [[Lymphocytes - WikiBlood#Helper CD4+|T cells]] and interleukins causes the plasma cells to undergo class switching to produce different classes of Ig.