Difference between revisions of "B cells"
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Also known as '''''B lymphocytes | Also known as '''''B lymphocytes | ||
| − | <p>So named as they were initially found in the [[Bursa of Fabricius - Anatomy & Physiology|Bursa of Fabricius]], B cells produce antibodies (Ig’s) 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. | + | <p>So named as they were initially found in the [[Bursa of Fabricius - Anatomy & Physiology|Bursa of Fabricius]], B cells produce antibodies (Ig’s) 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 B cell receptors (BCRs), or antigen binding sites which combine as the antibody [[IgM]] 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.</p> | B cells have B cell receptors (BCRs), or antigen binding sites which combine as the antibody [[IgM]] 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.</p> | ||
<p>Under antigenic stimulation B cells [[B cell differentiation|'''differentiate''']] into [[B cell differentiation#Plasma cells|plasma cells]] and [[B cell differentiation#Memory cells|memory cells]].</p> | <p>Under antigenic stimulation B cells [[B cell differentiation|'''differentiate''']] into [[B cell differentiation#Plasma cells|plasma cells]] and [[B cell differentiation#Memory cells|memory cells]].</p> | ||
Revision as of 09:49, 27 September 2010
Also known as B lymphocytes
So named as they were initially found in the Bursa of Fabricius, B cells produce antibodies (Ig’s) 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 B cell receptors (BCRs), or antigen binding sites which combine as the antibody IgM 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.