CAMB 6

The removal of potentially self-reactive immature lymphocytes by the immune system.

Recognition of non-self antigens activates B cells, allowing their survival and differentiation into plasma cells producing antibodies matching their BCR.

The binding of an antigen to the B cell receptor (BCR) initiates a signaling cascade.

Antigens that can activate B cells without T cell help.

Provided by the antigen itself or extensive cross-linking of BCR.

Neutralization (blocks bacteria), Opsonization (promotes phagocytosis), Complement activation (enhances opsonization and lysis of bacteria).

Complement activation (C3b), and co-receptors (CR2, CD19, CD81) increase the signal strength of antigen binding to BCR.

After the initial selection processes, the B cells enter the bloodstream and lymphatic system.

Antigen that can activate B cells without the help of T cells, resulting in a weaker immune response.

Antigen that requires T cell help to activate B cells, producing a stronger immune response.

A close physical association/interaction between a B cell and a T helper cell, essential for B cell activation.

The initial activation of a B cell triggered by its specific antigen binding to its B cell receptor (BCR).

The second signal needed to fully activate a B cell, often delivered from a T helper cell via CD40/CD40L or cytokines.

Specialized areas within lymph nodes where activated B cells undergo proliferation, class switching, and somatic hypermutation.

Lymph nodes and spleen, where B and T cell interactions happen, leading to immunity.

B cells present fragments (peptides) of processed antigens on MHC class II molecules to T helper cells.

Introduces point mutations into the V regions of antibodies (immunoglobulins), increasing the diversity and affinity of antibody binding to antigens.

Cells in the germinal center that present antigens to B cells, allowing for affinity maturation and selection of higher-affinity antibodies.

The process by which B cells producing antibodies with higher affinity for an antigen become selected and differentiated into plasma cells.

Specialized areas in lymph nodes where B cells undergo somatic hypermutation, affinity maturation, and differentiation into plasma cells and memory cells.

Helper T cells specialized in providing help to B cells in germinal centers, promoting antibody production and affinity maturation.

Differentiated B cells that secrete large quantities of antibodies.

The protein on the surface of B cells that recognizes and binds to specific antigens.

Long-lived B cells that are generated during the immune response and provide lasting immunity against previously encountered antigens.

Thymus-independent antigens that require more antigen and a longer time to activate B cells; they often involve long development periods, such as >5 years in humans.

Antibody responses to antigens that require the help of CD4+ T cells. They are better and produce all classes of antibodies.

B cells internalize virus/bacteria, degrade them into peptides, and present these peptides to T cells. This process leads to antibody production that targets the pathogen.

Vaccines that link a weak antigen/polysaccharide to another strong/known antigen, like tetanus toxoid, improving the immune response against TI antigens.

Play a role in antibody responses to thymus-independent antigens, releasing BAFF to boost antibody responses and class switching.

A strategy to improve vaccines that target pathogens with TI antigens; converting them to a T-dependent antigen makes the responses better/more effective.

B cells can present antigens to T cells in the context of T-dependent antigens. The epitopes recognized by the antibody and T cell need to be physically linked.

CD40, a B cell molecule, interacts with CD40L (on T cells) to protect centrocytes from apoptosis and to induce antibody isotype switching. Different cytokines cause different isotypes.

The process where a B cell changes the type of antibody it produces (e.g., from IgM to IgG) without affecting the antigen-binding region.

A subset of CD4+ T cells that are located in B cell follicles.

Rapidly dividing B cell in the dark zone of the germinal center.

B cell in the light zone of the germinal center. Involved in selecting high-affinity variants.

Enzymes crucial for somatic hypermutation and class switching in B cells.

Essential for B cell responses to T-dependent antigens (TD Ag) by presenting processed antigen to CD4+ T cells.