B-lymphocytes - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about B-lymphocytes Printer Friendly
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B cell
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   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.09 sec.

B cell

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B cells, a type of lymphocyte (white blood cell), have an important role in the body's immune system. When a B cell encounters an invading bacterium it starts to divide, forming two different types of cell. One type is a clone of itself that begins to produce antibodies to fight the infection; the other is a memory cell that will persist in the bloodstream, ready to produce antibodies should re-infection occur.

Type of lymphocyte (white blood cell) that develops in the bone marrow and aids the immune system by producing antibodies. Each B cell produces just one type of antibody, specific to a single antigen. B lymphocytes are related to T cells.



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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
Elaboration of such viral proteins as LMP1, essential to the immortalization of EBV-infected B-lymphocytes, may affect EBV infection of T lymphocytes, although studies suggest otherwise (59).
In healthy people, B-lymphocytes divide and secrete antibodies to combat microbial enemies.
Accordingly, Rituxan promotes the elimination of both cancerous and normal B-lymphocytes bearing this antigen.
 
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