B Cell Response
Antibodies serve various functions in protecting the host against the pathogen. Their soluble forms which carry out these functions are produced by plasma B cells, a type of white blood cell. This production is tightly regulated and requires the activation of B cells by activated T cells (another type of white blood cell), which is a sequential procedure. The major steps involved are:
- Specific or nonspecific recognition of the pathogen (because of its antigens) with its subsequent engulfing by B cells or macrophages. This activates the B cell only partially.
- Antigen processing.
- Antigen presentation.
- Activation of the T helper cells by antigen-presenting cells.
- Costimulation of the B cell by activated T cell resulting in its complete activation.
- Proliferation of B cells with resultant production of soluble antibodies.
Read more about this topic: Polyclonal B Cell Response
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