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B cells and Antibodies - B cells - Development of B cells

4 important questions on B cells and Antibodies - B cells - Development of B cells

Where do B cells arise from?

B cells are lymphoid derivatives from the bone marrow

They mature in various locations depending on the species
Birds: bursa of fabricius
Sheep and cattle: peyer's patches
Dogs, cats, humans: Bone marrow

When do B cells become plasma cells?

After going through central and peripheral tolerance, they respond to epitopes on antigens to proliferate and differentiate into plasma cells.

How does somatic hypermutation in B cells work?

B cells with mutations resulting in higher affinity receptors are selected and survive to differentiate into memory B cells or plasma cells, others go through apoptosis.

Where does somatic mutant selection occur?

It occurs in germinal centers:

Follicular DCs present antigens to B cells, induce division and Tfh cells produce cytokines/factors. B cells move to dark zone to divide and mutate. B cells go back to the light zone, and depending on their affinity to antigens, they die or will undergo maturation to become plasma cells OR become memory cells

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Physiology: Specific Cells

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