NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Plasma cell

Plasma cells (also called plasma B cells or plasmocytes) are cells of the immune system that secrete large amounts of antibodies. They differentiate from B cells upon stimulation by an antigen and are the principal effector cells involved in humoral immunity. The immune system is the system of specialized cells and organs that protect an organism from outside biological influences. ... Schematic of antibody binding to an antigen An antibody is a protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. ... B cells are lymphocytes that play a large role in the humoral immune response (as opposed to the cell-mediated immune response). ... An antigen is a substance that stimulates an immune response, especially the production of antibodies. ... Humoral immunity is the aspect of immunity that is mediated by secreted antibodies, produced in the cells of the B lymphocyte lineage (B cell). ...

Overview

After dividing for around five days, mature B cells differentiate into either plasma B cells or memory B cells. Most plasma B cells travel to the spleen or bone marrow to secrete antibodies (approximately 1000-2000 per minute), and live for only a few days. Memory B cells tend to be longer-lived and can therefore respond quickly upon second exposure to an antigen. Memory B cells are a B cell sub-type that are formed following primary infection. ... The spleen is a ductless, vertebrate gland that is not necessary for life but is closely associated with the circulatory system, where it functions in the destruction of old red blood cells and removal of other debris from the bloodstream, and also in holding a reservoir of blood. ... Grays Anatomy illustration of cells in bone marrow. ...

The class of antibody that a plasma cell produces depends on signals, called cytokines, from other immune system cells, such as macrophages and T helper cells. This process is called isotype-switching. For example, plasma cells will likely secrete IgG3 antibodies if they matured in the presence of the cytokine interferon-gamma. Since B cell maturation also involves somatic hypermutation, these antibodies have a very high specificity for their antigen. Cytokines are small protein molecules that regulate communication among immune system cells and between immune cells and those of other tissue types. ... Macrophages (Greek: big eaters) are cells found in tissues that are responsible for phagocytosis of pathogens, dead cells and cellular debris. ... A T helper cell (sometimes also known as effector T cells or TH cells) are a group of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell or leukocyte) that play a cornerstone role in establishing and maximising the ability of the immune system. ... Interferon-gamma or IFN-g is a dimerized soluble cytokine which is a Type II Interferon. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Microscopic anatomy

Plasma cells are large lymphocytes with a large cytoplasm-to-nucleus ratio and a characteristic appearance on light microscopy. They have basophilic cytoplasm and an eccentric nucleus with heterochromatin in a characteristic cartwheel arrangement. Their cytoplasm also contains a pale zone that on electron microscopy contains an extensive Golgi apparatus and centrioles. Abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum combined with a well-developed Golgi apparatus makes plasma cells well-suited for secreting immunoglobulins.Shawn Mueske is a weiner. Cytoplasm is a homogeneous, generally clear jelly-like material that fills cells. ... In cell biology, the nucleus (from Latin nucleus or nuculeus, kernel) is found in all eukaryotic cells and contains the nuclear genes which form most of the cells genetic material. ... Microscopy is any technique for producing visible images of structures or details too small to otherwise be seen by the human eye. ... Basophilic is a technical term used by histologists. ... Heterochromatin is (usually but not always) tightly packed form of DNA. Its major characteristic is that it is not transcribed. ... Categories: Stub ... The electron microscope is a microscope that can magnify very small details with high resolving power due to the use of electrons rather than light to scatter off material, magnifying at levels up to 500,000 times. ... In cell biology, the Golgi apparatus (also called a Golgi body, Golgi complex, or dictyosome) is an organelle found in most eukaryotic cells, including those of plants, animals, and fungi. ... A centriole in biology is a barrel shaped microtubule structure found in most animal cells, and cells of fungi and algae though not frequently in plants. ... The endoplasmic reticulum or ER (endoplasmic means within the cytoplasm, reticulum means little net) is an organelle found in all eukaryotic cells. ...

Role in disease

Cancer of plasma cells is termed multiple myeloma. This condition is frequently identified because malignant plasma cells continue producing an antibody, which can be detected as a paraprotein. When normal cells are damaged beyond repair, they are eliminated by apoptosis. ... Multiple myeloma (also known as MM, myeloma, plasma cell myeloma, or as Kahlers disease after Otto Kahler) is a malignant neoplasm of plasma cells, the cells of the immune system that produce antibodies. ... A paraprotein is an abnormal protein in the urine or blood, most often associated with multiple myeloma. ...

Common variable immunodeficiency is thought to be due to a problem in the differentiation from lymphocytes to plasma cells. The result is a low serum antibody level and risk of infections. Embryonic stem cells differentiate into cells in various body organs. ...

Categories: Cell biology stubs | Lymphocytes Human blood smear: a - erythrocytes; b - neutrophil; c - eosinophil; d - lymphocyte. ... Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended. ... Sketch of bone marrow and its cells Pluripotential hemopoietic stem cells or pluripotential hematopoietic stem cells (PHSCs) are stem cells found in the bone marrow. ... Human red blood cells Red blood cells are the most common type of blood cell and are the vertebrate bodys principal means of delivering oxygen from the lungs or gills to body tissues via the blood. ... Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells, that normally comprise about 1% of the red cells in the human body. ... A normoblast (or erythroblast) is a type of red blood cell which still retains a cell nucleus. ... White Blood Cells redirects here. ... Lymphocyte A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell involved in the human bodys immune system. ... Lymphoblasts are interferons produced predominantly by leucocyte cells. ... T cells are a subset of lymphocytes that play a large role in the immune response. ... A cytotoxic (or TC) T cell is a T cell (a type of white blood cell) which has on its surface antigen receptors that can bind to fragments of antigens displayed by the Class I MHC molecules of virus (or other intracellular pathogen) infected somatic cells and tumor cells. ... A T helper cell (sometimes also known as effector T cells or TH cells) are a group of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell or leukocyte) that play a cornerstone role in establishing and maximising the ability of the immune system. ... Regulatory T cells (also known as suppressor T cells) are a specialized subpopulation of T cells that act to suppress activation of the immune system and thereby maintain immune system homeostasis and tolerance to self. ... B cells are lymphocytes that play a large role in the humoral immune response (as opposed to the cell-mediated immune response). ... Memory B cells are a B cell sub-type that are formed following primary infection. ... Natural killer cells (also known as NK cells, K cells, and killer cells) are a type of lymphocyte (a white blood cell) and a component of innate immune defense. ... Sketch of bone marrow and its cells Pluripotential hemopoietic stem cells or pluripotential hematopoietic stem cells (PHSCs) are stem cells found in the bone marrow. ... Myeloblasts or blasts are new, immature blood cells developed in the bone marrow that are the precursors of myelocytes. ... Granulocytes are a category of white blood cells, characterised by the fact that all types have differently staining granules in their cytoplasm on light microscopy. ... Neutrophil granulocytes, generally referred to as neutrophils, are a class of white blood cells and are part of the immune system. ... Eosinophils are white blood cells that are responsible for combating infection by parasites in the body. ... Basophil granulocyte Basophils are the least common of the granulocytes, representing about 1% of circulating leukocytes. ... A mast cell (or mastocyte) is a resident cell of connective tissue that contains many granules rich in histamine and heparin. ... Monocyte A monocyte is a leukocyte, part of the human bodys immune system that protect against blood-borne pathogens and move quickly to sites of infection in the tissues. ... A Histiocyte is a cell that is part of the human immune system. ... Macrophages (Greek: big eaters) are cells found in tissues that are responsible for phagocytosis of pathogens, dead cells and cellular debris. ... Dendritic cells (DC) are immune cells and form part of the mammal immune system. ... Langerhans cells are immature dendritic cells containing large granules called Birbeck granules. ... Microglia are a type of glial cell that act as the immune cells of the Central nervous system (CNS). ... Kupffer cells are reticulendothelial cells located in the liver. ... An osteoclast is a multinucleated cell that degrades and reabsorbs bone. ... A megakaryoblast is a precursor cell to a promegakaryocyte, which in turn becomes a megakaryocyte. ... The megakaryocyte is a bone marrow cell responsible for the production of blood platelets when cytoplasm processes become fragmented. ... A 250 ml bag of newly collected platelets. ... The immune system is the system of specialized cells and organs that protect an organism from outside biological influences. ... Humoral immunity is the aspect of immunity that is mediated by secreted antibodies, produced in the cells of the B lymphocyte lineage (B cell). ... Cell-mediated immunity is an immune response that does not involve antibodies but rather involves the activation of macrophages and NK-cells, the production of antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and the release of various cytokines in response to an antigen. ... Lymph originates as blood plasma lost from the circulatory system, which leaks out into the surrounding tissues. ... White Blood Cells redirects here. ... Schematic of antibody binding to an antigen An antibody is a protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. ... An antigen is a substance that stimulates an immune response, especially the production of antibodies. ... It has been suggested that Class I MHC be merged into this article or section. ... The complement system helps clear pathogens from an organism. ... Inflammation is the first response of the immune system to infection or irritation and may be referred to as the innate cascade. ... The coagulation of blood is a complex process during which blood forms solid clots. ...