B - Lymphocytes

B-lymphocytes represent the basic cells of antibody immunity.

They are formed in bone marrow, where they also mature. There is no selection during their development (as with T-ly. Their maturation takes place after encountering antigen in secondary lymphatic organs.The final differentiation stage of B-lymphocytes is "plasma cells" producing antibodies to protein and glycoprotein antigen and toxins.
 * Development line
 * Pluripotent stem cell → lymphoid progenitor → B-lymphocytes → plasma cells (plasma cells) producing immunoglobulins and memory cells.

The B-cell receptor is  'BcR'  (B-cellular receptor). It consists of its own surface immunoglobulin (IgM, IgD) and associated signaling molecules. The IgM monomer is anchored to the membrane by its "Fc fragment", which is different from normal Fc (it is longer, it contains a component that holds it in the membrane). Other antigenic structures are CD-19, CD-20 (typical of mature B-lymphocytes), CD-10 (only at some stage of immature cells, in some  leukemic lines). Some B-lymphocytes change into "memory B-ly" upon encounter with antigen and clonal proliferation. These are part of the  'immune memory' . They are responsible for significantly accelerating the "secondary immune response" upon repeated encounters with antigen (important for vaccination).

Related Articles

 * Hematopoiesis (histology)
 * T-lymphocytes
 * Immunocompetent cells
 * Specific immunity
 * Autoimmune diseases
 * Inflammation
 * Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
 * Chronic lymphocytic leukemia