Danger Dust

How do B cells become antibody-producing cells?

Antibodies are one of the key components of the adaptive (or acquired) immune system and target foreign invaders such as bacteria or viruses. B cells play a vital role in antibody production and in immune memory that protects us from reinfection.

B cells become activated when an antigen [a substance that triggers the body's immune response] binds to its receptors. Once activated, B cells form what are called "germinal centers."

"We think of germinal centers as factories for B cells to become optimal antibody secreters and choose cell fates to support that function," says Lucas.

B cells have multiple potential fates, including becoming memory cells or antibody-secreting cells (ASC). The role of memory cells is to "remember" specific antigens so that the body can more rapidly initiate an immune response if the antigen returns.

In turn, ASCs begin releasing very large amounts of antibodies that target the intruder into the blood.