What is B cell?
{{Infobox Anatomy |Name = B cell |Latin = lymphocytus B |Image = Original antigenic sin.svg |Caption = The cells of the immune system form cells that remember the pathogen for future infections.}} [[File:B cell activation.svg|thumb|300px|B cell activation]] '''B cells''' are [[lymphocytes]], a type of [[white blood cell]]. Once the B cell is activated, it turns into a plasma cell,{{efn|name=plasmacell|<nowiki>Plasma cell = cell which makes antibodies</nowiki>}} and starts producing [[antibodies]]. They are a vital part of the [[adaptive immune system]]. They have a [[protein]] on the B cell's [[Cell membrane|outer surface]] known as a 'B cell receptor'. This allows a B cell to bind to a '''specific''' [[antigen]]. The main functions of B cells are: #to make [[antibody|antibodies]] against [[antigen]]s, #to perform the role of [[antigen-presenting cell]]s (APCs), #to develop into memory B cells after activation by antigen interaction. Recently, a new, suppressive function of B cells has been discovered.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1146/annurev-immunol-020711-074934 |title=Immune regulatory function of B Cells |year=2012 |last1=Mauri |first1=Claudia |last2=Bosma |first2=Anneleen |journal=Annual Review of Immunology |volume=30 |pages=221–41 |pmid=22224776}}</ref> In mammals, immature B cells are formed in the [[bone marrow]], hence their name.<ref>Alberts B. ''et al'' 2002. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=mboc4&part=A4422 ''Molecular biology of the cell'']. Garland Science: New York, pg 1367.</ref> ==Note== {{notelist}} == References == {{Reflist}} == Other websites == * [http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/B/B_and_Tcells.html B Cells and T Cells] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804040320/http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/B/B_and_Tcells.html |date=2010-08-04 }} * [http://www.microvet.arizona.edu/Courses/MIC419/Secure/CaseNoIg/GODfigs.htm B Cell Development and Generation of Lymphocyte Diversity] {{W