B lymphocytes are a vital component of the immune system, playing a significant role in the process of adaptive immunity. Their development and function are designed to recognize, target, and neutralize antigens present within pathogens, contributing to the body's overall defence against infections. B cell lymphopoiesis takes place mainly within the bone marrow, where they undergo a series of differentiation steps to become fully mature B cells. Hematopoietic stem cells first give rise to common lymphoid progenitors, which have the potential to develop into either T cells or B cells. These progenitors undergo molecular rearrangements of their immunoglobulin gene segments, responsible for encoding the B cell receptor (BCR) – the plasma membrane-bound antibody specific to each B cell. Successful gene rearrangements lead to the formation of pre-B cells. Pre-B cells continue to rearrange their immunoglobulin genes until a functional BCR is expressed on the cell surface, becoming immature B cells which migrate to the spleen and lymph nodes, where they undergo a process termed negative selection. B cells with BCRs that bind too strongly to self-antigens are eliminated by this process to prevent autoimmunity. B cells that pass the negative selection stage become mature naive B cells and are released into circulation, where they can encounter antigens. When a mature naive B cell encounters an antigen that matches its BCR, it binds to the antigen, activating the B cell and initiating rapid cell divisions termed clonal expansion, generating a larger population of identical (clonal) B cells with the same BCR specificity. Some of the activated B cells differentiate into plasma cells. Plasma cells are specialized B cells that produce and secrete large quantities of antibodies – the soluble forms of the antigen-recognizing BCRs. Antibodies are packaged into secretory vesicles (granules) containing a high concentration of antibodies within the Golgi apparatus which then fuse with the plasma membrane, releasing soluble antibodies via exocytosis. Plasma cells continue to secrete antibodies for a limited period, generally several days to a few weeks, before they undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death). The presence of antigen and co-stimulatory signals is required to maintain the survival of plasma cells. As the initial stimulus (antigen) diminishes, the plasma cells receive fewer stimulatory signals, leading to a reduction in their lifespan and eventual apoptosis. The constant renewal of plasma cells ensures a sustained supply of antibodies during an immune response. Alongside plasma cell production, a subset of activated B cells differentiates into memory B cells which possess a longer lifespan. If the same antigen is encountered again in the future, memory B cells can then mount a rapid immune response, differentiating into plasma cells after receiving additional activation signals from helper T cells. This differentiation process is more rapid compared to the primary immune response because the memory B cell has already undergone affinity maturation and clonal expansion during the primary response. leading to a more rapid production of pathogen-specific antibodies. We offer a wide product range of research tools for investigating B cells, including CD45 antibodies, CD10 antibodies, CD20 antibodies, CD26 ELISA Kits, and BAFF ELISA Kits. Explore our full B cells product range below and discover more, for less. Alternatively, you can explore our CD and Non CD product ranges.