6 CHAPTER 6 B Cell Generation, Activation and Differentiation
6 CHAPTER 6 B Cell Generation, Activation and Differentiation
• Activation of B cells
results in Ag-dependent
proliferation (clonal
expansion), differentiation
into plasma/memory cells,
affinity maturation and
class switching
B-Cell Maturation continued
• Maturation results divided into three broad
stages:
1. antigen independent maturation of
immunocompetent B cells
2. activation of mature B cells when they interact with
antigen, and
3. differentiation of activated B cells into plasma cells
and memory B cells.
B-Cell Maturation continued
• The antigen independent phase of B-cell
development
• maturation directed by the Bone marrow
• involves orderly, sequential rearrangement of
Ig-gene rearrangements
• progresses in the absence of antigen.
B-Cell Maturation continued
• Characteristics
• Pentameric form
• Primary response
• Role in Lab Diagnostics
• Effective agglutinator