production of plasma cells and memory B cells can be divided into three broad stages: generation of mature, immunocompetent B cells(maturation), activa- Initial Contact between b and T cells tion of mature B cells when they interact with antigen, and differentiation of activated B cells into plasma cells and memory B cells. In many vertebrates, ng humans B-Cell maturation and mice, the bone marrow generates B cells. This process
that peptides derived from the antigen be displayed within the cleft of an MHC peptide-Mhcthe m ormation of the Antigen Processing for Presentation by Class I MHC Molecules Self-MHC Restriction of T Cells Class tides that Role of Antigen-Presenting Cells Evidence for Two Processing and Presentation Pathways
present on the B-cell membrane and secreted by plasma cells. Membrane-bound antibody con- fers antigenic specificity on B cells; antigen-specific prolifer- ation of B-cell clones is elicted by the interaction of membrane antibody with antigen Secreted antibodies ci culate in the blood, where they serve as the effectors of hu- moral immunity by searching out and neutralizing antigens or marking them for elimination. All antibodies share struc