B cell

noun

Biology.

1. Also called B lymphocyte. a type of lymphocyte, developed in bone marrow, that circulates in the blood and lymph and, upon encountering a particular foreign antigen, differentiates into a clone of plasma cells that secrete a specific antibody and a clone of memory cells that make the antibody on subsequent encounters.

2. Also called beta cell. a cell in the islet of Langerhans that produces and secretes insulin.

B-cell

noun

1. another name for B-lymphocyte

B cell

1. Any of the lymphocytes that develop into plasma cells in the presence of a specific antigen. The plasma cells produce antibodies that attack or neutralize the antigen in what is called the humoral immune response. B cells mature in the bone marrow before being released into the blood.

2. Also called B lymphocyte

3. Compare T cell

B-cell

1. One of two main types of immune system lymphocytes (compare T-cell). B-cells originate and develop in the bone marrow and circulate throughout the blood and lymph fluids, recognizing foreign bacteria, viruses, and toxins and binding to them to facilitate their disposal by other cells.

Word History and Origins

Origin of B-cell¹

1970–75; B cell ( def. 1 ) perhaps B(one-derived) ; B cell ( def. 2 ) B(ursa of Langerhans-derived)

Example Sentences

Using this method, they engineered cells that target CD-19, a protein commonly found on malignant B cells in lymphoma patients.

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Memory B cells manufacture the right antibodies quickly when a familiar microbe appears.

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In addition, Chihara's team could also identify a molecular marker for B cells producing anti-inflammatory signals, a sort of ID that enables tracing the cells' abundance.

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Scientists should focus on the interactions between T and B cells to find better treatments for autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, according to a new study from the University of Surrey.

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The lab's findings were published in Nature Microbiology in the paper, "Multiple sclerosis patient derived spontaneous B cells have distinct EBV and host gene expression profiles in active disease."

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