memory B lymphocyte

Introduction

Also see immunological memory.

Physiology

• activated B-cells proliferate & differentiate into
  • plasma cells
  • memory B-cells
• memory B-cells are:
  • long-lived
  • non-secreting (do not secrete antibody)
  • contain antigen-specific surface immunoglobin B-cell receptors

• when antigen-specific memory B-cells encounter the specific antigen that triggered their production, they proliferate & differentiate into plasma cells more efficiently than naive B-cells (primed antibody response)
• the primed antibody response can prevent a pathogen from causing disease, whereas the naive response may be unable to do so.

• memory B-cells may also be activated from exposure to cytokines produced by T-cells in response to unrelated antigens (bystander effect).

More general terms

• B lymphocyte

Additional terms

• antibody production
• immunological memory
• plasma cell