B cell
1. β cell of pancreas or of anterior lobe of hypophysis;
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B cell
n. Any of the lymphocytes that when stimulated by a particular antigen differentiate into plasma cells and that in mammals mature in the bone marrow. Also called B lymphocyte.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
B cell
One of the two major classes of lymphocytes, which comprises 30% of circulating lymphocytes and is concentrated in the follicular zones of lymphoid tissue (in contrast T cells, which are located in the deep cortex). B cells are responsible for antibody production, a transformation evoked by interaction with the appropriate CD4 T-helper cells. Igs are responsible for specific defence against viruses and bacteria, immune surveillance (cytolysis of potentially malignant “self” cells, mediation of antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity), allergic reactions, formation of antigen-antibody complexes and production of cytokines; surface and cytoplasmic antigens indicate the degree of B-cell maturation and function. Cytoplasmic IgM is present in pre-B cells and surface Ig in mature B lymphoctytes and plasma cells; complement receptors are seen in mature cells. B cell markers include CD9, CD10, CD19, CD20, CD24, Fc receptor, B1, BA-1 and B4 Ia.Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
B cell
B lymphocyte Hematology One of the 2 major classes of lymphocytes, which comprises 30% of circulating lymphocytes and is concentrated in the follicular zones of lymphoid tissue–in contrast T cells is located in the deep cortex; B cells are responsible for antibody production, a transformation evoked by interaction with the appropriate CD4 T-helper cells; Igs are responsible for specific defense against viruses and bacteria, immune surveillance–cytolysis of potentially malignant 'self' cells, mediation of antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity, allergic reactions, formation of antigen-antibody complexes, and production of cytokines; surface and cytoplasmic antigens indicate the degree of B cell maturation and function; cytoplasmic IgM is present in pre-B cells and surface Ig in mature B lymphoctytes and plasma cells; complement receptors are seen in mature cells; B cell 'markers' include CD9, CD10, CD19, CD20, CD24, Fc receptor, B1, BA-1, B4 Ia. See Pan B cell markers, Cf T cells. McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
B cell (B lymphocyte)
A type of white blood cell derived from bone marrow. B cells are sometimes called B lymphocytes. They secrete antibody and have a number of other complex functions within the human immune system.
Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.