3
$\begingroup$

My text book doesn't say anything about how B memory cells actually ensure a faster response the second time the antigen is encountered. My guess is that they differentiate into plasma cells which produce antibodies, and release cytokines to cause clonal expansion of the correct T killer cells, but I'm not sure...

Thanks in advance for any responses ^_^

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4
$\begingroup$

This 2005 review in the Annual Review of Immunology entitled "Antigen-specific memory B cell development" would be a great first resource in answering your question in great detail. Briefly, memory B cells (MBC), upon re-exposure to the same antigen, very rapidly expand and differentiate into antibody-producing plasma cells (PC), with the help of memory T helper cells (Th). However, more MBC are still produced by this reaction, so that a second challenge with antigen doesn't deplete the memory population.

PC are geared towards producing gobs of antibody, and not much else. Upon stimulation with antigen, MBC will produce some cytokines to attract the Th cells that are required for costimulation and regulation, but to my understanding it is the Th cells that manage the whole response, activating effector T cells ("killer" T cells), NK cells, dendritic cells, etc., and not the MBC themselves.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .