B-lymphocytes

How do B-Lymphocytes Function?

Naïve B-cells released from the bone marrow undergo further development while traveling to the spleen and lymph nodes. Once at these secondary lymph organs, the B-lymphocytes are activated through binding the binding of their cell surface antibodies to antigens. The activation may occur with the assistance of T-helper cells (T-cell dependent), during which B-cells present the antigen to the T cell, or may be T-cell independent activation.

In response, the B-cells can differentiate into:

• Plasma cells that produce specific antibodies against the target antigen
• Memory-B cells that are stored by the body for a quicker response in case it ever encounters the same antigen in the future.

Applications of B-lymphocyte Function in Immunotherapy

There is an increasing interest in the potential to use B-lymphocytes in cancer immunotherapy because of its following characteristics:

• Antibody production
• Antigen presentation
• Ability to infiltrate tumors
• Secretion of cytokines and granzyme B