Lecture 26 - B cells Flashcards
What do TFH cells secrete?
IL-21 and cytokines typical of type 1 (IFN-γ), type 2 (IL-4), and type 3 (IL-17) responses.
What is the effect of TFH cell signaling on B cells?
Activates B cells to produce specific types of antibodies.
How do TFH cells interact with B cells?
They interact directly with B cells.
What type of pathogens do TFH cells respond to?
All types of pathogens.
What is IgM?
Immunoglobulin M — an antibody class that serves as a receptor on naïve B cells.
What cytokines are linked to type 1, type 2, and type 3 responses?
Type 1 → IFN-γ
Type 2 → IL-4
Type 3 → IL-17
What type of immune cell are B cells?
A type of lymphocyte.
Where do B cells arise from?
Bone marrow.
What role do B cells play in adaptive immunity?
- Antigen-specific
- Clonotypic (each B cell has a unique receptor)
- Progenitors of antibody-producing plasma cells and plasmablasts
What are plasma cells?
Activated and differentiated B cells that are the main antibody-secreting cells.
What are plasmablasts?
B cells in a lymph node that already show some features of plasma cells.
What happens to the B cell receptor when a B cell is activated?
It is secreted as an antibody.
What is clonal selection and expansion?
The process where an activated B cell proliferates and differentiates into plasma cells.
What is the outcome of B cell activation?
Plasma cells that secrete antibodies.
Where do naïve B cells circulate?
Through the lymph nodes and spleen regularly.
How do B cells enter the lymph node?
Through high endothelial venules (HEV).
What happens if a B cell doesn’t encounter an antigen?
- Leaves via efferent lymphatics
- If it doesn’t encounter an antigen after a few months, it dies by apoptosis.
What happens if a B cell encounters an antigen?
It receives a survival signal (Signal 1).
What type of molecule do B cells look for?
Antigens — NOT p:MHC (peptide-MHC complexes).
How do antigens reach the lymph node?
Via afferent lymphatics.
What can antigens be linked to?
Complement components (opsonized).
How are antigens retained in the lymph node?
By subcapsular sinus (SCS) macrophages and follicular dendritic cells.
What type of antigen enters the lymph node?
Opsonized antigen (bound to complement).
What cells in the lymph node retain opsonized antigen?
Subcapsular sinus (SCS) macrophages.