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B cell differentiation (view source)
Revision as of 15:34, 27 September 2010
, 15:34, 27 September 2010→Function
===Function===
===Function===
[[Image:B-cell-Ab.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Plasma cell antibody production - B. Catchpole, RVC 2008]]
[[Image:B-cell-Ab.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Plasma cell antibody production - B. Catchpole, RVC 2008]]
<p>Plasma cells produce immunoglobulins/antibodies (thousands a second). The immunoglobulin binding specificity is identical to the binding specificity of the B Cell receptor (BCR) on the [[Lymphocytes#B cells|B cell]] that the cell has differentiated from. This means that when a [[Lymphocytes#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 B Cell receptor (BCR) on the [[B cells|B cell]] that the cell has differentiated from. This means that when a 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. They migrate to the medullary cords where their whole function is to secrete antibody.
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. They migrate to the medullary cords where their sole function is to secrete antibody.
===Class switching===
===Class switching===