what kind of wbc is involved in the production of antibodies
lymphocyte
Lymphocyte
Main article: Lymphocyte
Lymphocytes are much more common in the lymphatic system than in blood. Lymphocytes are distinguished by having a deeply staining nucleus that may be eccentric in location, and a relatively small amount of cytoplasm. Lymphocytes include:
B cells make antibodies that can bind to pathogens, block pathogen invasion, activate the complement system, and enhance pathogen destruction.
T cells:
CD4+ helper T cells: T cells displaying co-receptor CD4 are known as CD4+ T cells. These cells have T-cell receptors and CD4 molecules that, in combination, bind antigenic peptides presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules on antigen-presenting cells. Helper T cells make cytokines and perform other functions that help coordinate the immune response. In HIV infection, these T cells are the main index to identify the individual's immune system integrity.
CD8+ cytotoxic T cells: T cells displaying co-receptor CD8 are known as CD8+ T cells. These cells bind antigens presented on MHC I complex of virus-infected or tumour cells and kill them. Nearly all nucleated cells display MHC I.
γδ T cells possess an alternative T cell receptor (different from the αβ TCR found on conventional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells). Found in tissue more commonly than in blood, γδ T cells share characteristics of helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, and natural killer cells.
Natural killer cells are able to kill cells of the body that do not display MHC class I molecules, or display stress markers such as MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence A (MIC-A). Decreased expression of MHC class I and up-regulation of MIC-A can happen when cells are infected by a virus or become cancerous.
Lymphocyte
The type of white blood cell (WBC) involved in the production of antibodies is called a B lymphocyte, or B cell for short. B cells are a type of lymphocyte, which are a specific group of white blood cells involved in the immune response. B cells play a vital role in the adaptive immune system, which is the part of our immune system that recognizes and remembers specific pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses.
To explain how B cells produce antibodies, let's break it down into a few steps:
1. Antigen recognition: B cells are capable of recognizing specific antigens, which are pieces of foreign substances that trigger an immune response. When a B cell encounters an antigen that matches its surface receptor, it binds to it.
2. Activation: Once the B cell binds to the antigen, it becomes activated. This triggers a series of molecular events inside the cell that lead to its activation.
3. Clonal expansion: Activated B cells undergo clonal expansion, which means they rapidly divide and produce identical copies of themselves. This ensures that there are a sufficient number of B cells to combat the antigen.
4. Differentiation: During clonal expansion, some of the activated B cells differentiate into plasma cells, specialized cells that are responsible for antibody production. Plasma cells produce and secrete large quantities of antibodies into the bloodstream.
5. Antibody production: Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are proteins that recognize and bind to specific antigens. Each plasma cell produces large amounts of identical antibodies that are specifically designed to target the antigen that activated the B cell. These antibodies can then circulate throughout the body, neutralizing the antigen and marking it for destruction by other components of the immune system.
So, to summarize, B cells are the WBCs involved in antibody production. They recognize specific antigens, become activated, undergo clonal expansion, differentiate into plasma cells, and produce large amounts of antibodies to fight off specific pathogens.