Difference between revisions of "B cells"
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Also known as '''''B lymphocytes | Also known as '''''B lymphocytes | ||
| − | So named as they were initially found in the [[Bursa of Fabricius - Anatomy & Physiology|Bursa of Fabricius]], B cells produce antibodies | + | So named as they were initially found in the [[Bursa of Fabricius - Anatomy & Physiology|Bursa of Fabricius]], B cells produce antibodies and are associated with '''humoral immunity''' (T cells are part of the cell-mediated immune response), and are an integral part of the [[:Category:Adaptive Immune System|'''adaptive immune system''']]. They represent 20-30% of circulating lymphocytes. |
B cells have cell surface proteins known as B cell receptors (BCRs) that are known as [[Immunoglobulins - Overview|immunoglobulins]]; [[IgM]] is the membrane bound BCR that is expressed when the B cell is immature, changing to [[IgD]] when the cell is mature. IgM has a large molecular mass and can bind up to 10 antigens simultaneously. B cells also express MHC II, CD9, CD,19, CD20 and CD24. | B cells have cell surface proteins known as B cell receptors (BCRs) that are known as [[Immunoglobulins - Overview|immunoglobulins]]; [[IgM]] is the membrane bound BCR that is expressed when the B cell is immature, changing to [[IgD]] when the cell is mature. IgM has a large molecular mass and can bind up to 10 antigens simultaneously. B cells also express MHC II, CD9, CD,19, CD20 and CD24. | ||
Revision as of 09:59, 27 September 2010
Also known as B lymphocytes So named as they were initially found in the Bursa of Fabricius, B cells produce antibodies and are associated with humoral immunity (T cells are part of the cell-mediated immune response), and are an integral part of the adaptive immune system. They represent 20-30% of circulating lymphocytes.
B cells have cell surface proteins known as B cell receptors (BCRs) that are known as immunoglobulins; IgM is the membrane bound BCR that is expressed when the B cell is immature, changing to IgD when the cell is mature. IgM has a large molecular mass and can bind up to 10 antigens simultaneously. B cells also express MHC II, CD9, CD,19, CD20 and CD24.
Under antigenic stimulation B cells differentiate into plasma cells and memory cells.
B-cells also act as Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs) by presenting digested fragments to T cells on MHC II.