B cells are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the body’s immune system. There are two main types of B cells: naïve B cells and memory B cells. Naïve B cells are created in the bone marrow and have never been exposed to an antigen, while memory B cells are created in response to an antigen and can remember it for a long time.

B cells are important for the development of immunity against infection. They produce antibodies, which are proteins that help fight infection. When a foreign antigen is encountered, B cells produce specific antibodies that bind to the antigen and help destroy it.

B cells can also play a role in autoimmunity. In autoimmune diseases, the body’s own immune system attacks its own tissues. There is evidence that B cells can contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases by producing antibodies that target the body’s own tissues.

B cells make up between 5 and 15% of the lymphocytes that are found in the blood; they are also found in the bone marrow, the spleen, the lymph nodes, and the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues.

B cells can present antigen to T cells and release cytokines, but their primary function is to develop into plasma cells, which manufacture and secrete antibodies.

The primary purpose of B cells is to grow into plasma cells, which are responsible for the production and secretion of antibodies. B cells can also release cytokines and present antigen to T cells.

The two stages of B cell response to antigen

Primary immune response:

When mature, naive B cells are exposed to antigen for the first time, they transform into lymphoblasts, go through clonal proliferation, and differentiate into memory cells. These memory record the instructions which enable the cell to react to the same antigen in the future, or develop into mature plasma cells that secrete antibodies.

This is known as the primary immune response.

There are several days of inactivity after an initial exposure to an antigen before the production of antibodies begins. After this point, only IgM will be generated.

Following this, with the assistance of T cells, B cells are able to perform additional rearrangement of their Ig genes and can then flip to the production of IgG, IgA, or IgE.

Because of this, the immune response following the first exposure is sluggish and initially only provides minimal protection.

The secondary immune response, also known as the anamnestic or booster reaction, occurs when memory B and Th cells are reexposed to the antigen. At this point, the memory B cells rapidly expand in number, develop into mature plasma cells, and release huge quantities of antibody (chiefly IgG because of a T cell–induced isotype switch). After being secreted into the blood and other tissues, the antibody is now in a position to interact with the offending antigen. Therefore, the immune response is both quicker and more effective after being reexposed to the pathogen.

There are two main types of lymphocytes- B cells and T cells.

B cells mature in bone marrow, while T cells mature in the thymus.

The main difference between the two is their immune functions- B cells are responsible for antibody production, while T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity.

Both types of lymphocytes play a role in autoimmunity, but how they contribute depends on the specific autoimmune disease.

For example, in rheumatoid arthritis, T cells may be more important, while in type 1 diabetes, B cells may be more important.

Lymphocytes can also be distinguished by the presence or absence of certain cell surface molecules called clusters of differentiation (CDs).

More than 300 CDs have been identified, many of which are absent from lymphocytes but present on other cells of the immune system.

CD molecules play a role in cell adhesion, cell signaling, and receptor function.

They help to regulate the activity of lymphocytes and other immune cells.

Scientific studies have shown that certain dietary fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, can help to regulate the activity of lymphocytes and other immune cells.

Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oil, flaxseed oil, and chia seeds.

They can also be obtained from supplements.

Including omega-3 fatty acids in your diet may help to reduce the risk of developing autoimmune diseases

Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that are essential to the immunological response of the body and play a vital part in this response.

There are two main types of macrophages: M1 and M2.

M1 macrophages are activated by cytokines and by various microbial components. M1 macrophages kill intracellular organisms and secrete cytokines.

M2 macrophages are activated by cytokines (eg, IFN-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13)as well as by many distinct microbiological components (eg, lipopolysaccharide), they also play varied roles in amplifying or limiting the inflammatory response.

The M1 type is usually associated with a more aggressive immune response, while the M2 type is typically associated with a more muted or limited response.

Macrophages play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. They are activated by cytokines and microbial components, which leads to the release of inflammatory mediators. These mediators can then damage tissues and contribute to the development of the disease.

Macrophages also play a role in the induction of autoimmunity. They can promote autoimmunity by presenting autoantigens to T cells, or by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Therefore, macrophages play an important role in both the initiation and progression of autoimmune diseases.