B cells are responsible for producing and releasing antibodies to specific antigens, and hence, are an essential component of the humoral immune response.
B cells are mediators of the humoral response, or antibody-mediated immunity. By studying this particular cell group we learn more about the inner workings of the immune system, which consequently increases our awareness of the possible causes behind a variety of autoimmune disorders and cancers. Broad immunological research unlocks valuable insight of what future steps might be taken to treat these pathologies.
Development from stem cell to B cell
Generation of the B cell begins in the bone marrow where stem cells give rise to lymphoid cells. Throughout each stage of development the antibody locus— a site where an antigen interacts with the cell— undergoes genetic recombination. This recombination is specific to the developmental stage of the B cell. Development starts with the pro-B cell, which expresses Igα and Igβ. The cell matures further into the pre-B cell that expresses the pre-B cell receptor (Igμ) on its surface. Maturation in the bone marrow ends with the naïve B cell that expresses the B cell receptor (containing IgM and IgD) capable of recognizing an antigen. These cells then leave the bone marrow and enter the periphery (Cambier JC, et al. Nat Rev Immunol. 2007).
Subtypes of conventional B cells
Conventional B cells, also referred to as B-2 cells, terminally differentiate into one of two common subtypes upon activation:
- Plasma B cells: a plasma cell is the sentry of the immune system. The naïve B cell circulates throughout the body. When it encounters a unique antigen, the plasma cell takes in the antigen through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Antigenic particles are transferred to the cell surface, loaded onto MHC II molecules and presented to a helper T cell. The binding of the helper T cell to the MHC II-antigen complex activates the B cell. The activated B cell goes through a period of rapid proliferation and somatic hypermutation. Selection occurs for those cells that produce antibodies with a high affinity for that particular antigen. Once terminally differentiated, the plasma B cell only secretes antibodies specific for that antigen and can no longer generate antibodies to other antigens.
- Memory B cells: memory cells are held in reserve, in the germinal centers of the lymphatic system, for when the immune system re-encounters a specific antigen. During any repeat exposure the follicular helper T cell causes the memory cell to differentiate into a plasma B cell that has a greater sensitivity to that specific antigen. This jump-starts the immune system to mount a quicker, more powerful response than was possible previously.
Other B cell subtypes include:
- B-1 cells: a minor subtype, only about 5% in humans, of self-renewing fetal B cells that act in a similar fashion to plasma cells. B-1 cells are primarily present during fetal and neonatal life.
- Marginal zone (MZ) B cells: mature memory B cells that are found only in the marginal zone of the spleen. These cells can be activated through toll-like receptor-ligation and not necessarily through the B cell receptor.
- Follicular (FO) B cells: these are mature, but inactive, B cells. This subset of B cells is primarily found in the follicles of the spleen and lymph nodes. Activation of these cells requires the aid of T cells. FO B cells can differentiate into either plasma or memory B cells.
- Regulatory B (Breg) cells: Breg cells negatively regulate the strength of the immune response and inflammation by secreting chemical messages called cytokines, such as IL-10. Although these cells make up a small portion of the B cell population (~0.5% in humans), it is thought that loss of functional Breg cells contributes to autoimmune disorders.
Paraffin Wax Dispenser | |||
HIS7000 | |||
Paraffin wax, granular (56 - 60) | |||
GL4115-1KG | |||
Paraffin wax, granular (56 - 60) | |||
GL4115-5KG | |||
Paraffin wax, granular (56 - 60) | |||
GL4115-1 | |||
Paraffin wax, granular (56 - 60) | |||
GL4115-5 |
Immunophenotyping of B cells through flow cytometry
Immature B cells express CD19, CD 20, CD34, CD38, and CD45R, but not IgM. For most mature B cells the key markers include IgM and CD19, a protein receptor for antigens (Kaminski DA. Front Immunol. 2012). Activated B cells express CD30, a regulator of apoptosis. Plasma B cells lose CD19 expression, but gain CD78, which is used to quantify these cells. Memory B cells can be immunophenotyped using CD20 and CD40 expression. The cells can be further categorized using CD80 and PDL-2 regardless of the type of immunoglobulin present on the cell surface (Zuccarino-Catania GV et al. Nat Immunol. 2014.). Globally, cytokines (such as interlukein-10) and chemokines involved with chemokine receptor 3 play an important role in transmitting the biological messages to drive the immune response.
A table of common B cell subtypes with some cell markers which can be useful for flow cytometry:
B Cell Type | Marker | Cellular localization |
B cell (all except plasma cell) | IgM, CD19 | Secreted |
Activated B cell | CD19, CD25, CD30 | Secreted |
Plasma cell | IgG, CD27, CD38, CD78, CD138, CD319 | Secreted |
Plasma cell | IL-6 | Secreted (cytokine) |
Plasma cell | CD138 | Cell membrane |
Memory cell | IgA, IgG, IgE, CD20, CD27, CD40, CD80, PDL-2 | Secreted |
Memory cell | CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5, CXCR6 | Secreted (chemokines) |
Marginal zone B cells | CD1, CD21, CD27 | Secreted |
Marginal zone B cells | Notch2 | Cell membrane |
Follicular B cells | IgD, CD21, CD22, CD23 | Secreted |
Regulatory B cells | IgD, CD1, CD5, CD21, CD24, TLR4 | Secreted |
Regulatory B cells | IL-10, TGFβ | Secreted (cytokines) |
The immune system consists of many different cell types, whose functions and interactions govern the immune response. In research, the specific composition of cell surface antigens is exploited to accurately define the different cell types. Immunophenotyping by flow cytometry is the most common method to identify, quantify, and isolate immune cells within mixed populations. However, selecting which antigens are best to identify a specific cell type can be challenging due to the vast number of research articles and lack of consensus around immunophenotyping panels.
In response to this issue, we have reviewed over 250 research articles studying human and mouse cells and compiled the most commonly used markers for each immune cell type. With this selection, you can quickly and easily build your own immunophenotyping panel, freeing up more of your time for research.
Immune cell markers
Many immune cell markers are named following the clusters of differentiation (CD) nomenclature, aimed at providing targets for cell immunophenotyping. In the table below we have summarized the relevant CD markers for the identification and quantification of both human and mouse immune cells.
For each CD marker, we strive to provide antibodies tested in several applications to guarantee sensitivity and specificity. Please see example data below for WB, ICC, IHC, and flow cytometry with our recombinant anti-integrin alpha 5 antibody (ab150361). Find out more about recombinant antibodies.
ELISA PLATE READER : MICRO READ 1000 |
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1000 | Global Diagnostics B | 1 unit | 2628 EUR |
ELISA PLATE WASHER : MICRO WASH 1100 |
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1100 | Global Diagnostics B | 1 unit | 2403.6 EUR |
ELISA PLATE SHAKER : MICRO SHAKE 1200 |
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1200 | Global Diagnostics B | 1 unit | 916.8 EUR |
Dendritic Cells/B Cells Antibody |
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abx412775-02mg | Abbexa | 0.2 mg | 678 EUR |
Human CD19+ B Cells |
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T4123 | ABM | 5x10^5 cells / 1.0 ml | Ask for price |
CD40 B Cells Antibody |
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GWB-375761 | GenWay Biotech | 0.2 mg | Ask for price |
B Cells Antibody (FITC) |
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GWB-A84CAA | GenWay Biotech | 100 TESTS | Ask for price |
Immortalized Human B Cells |
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CSC-I9357Z | Creative Bioarray | One Frozen vial | Ask for price |
Rat Pan B Cells antibody |
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10R-B124a | Fitzgerald | 50 ug | Ask for price |
CD19 Antibody (Pan B Cells) |
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GWB-6E699A | GenWay Biotech | 0.2 mg | Ask for price |
Rat Splenocytes CD45+ B Cells |
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ABC-TC4225 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
StimPack: Memory B cells, human |
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3660-1 | Mabtech AB | 100 µg + 1 µg | 194.25 EUR |
StimPack: Memory B cells, mouse |
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3661-1 | Mabtech AB | 100 µg + 0.5 µg | 194.25 EUR |
HARA-B Cells Complete Medium |
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CM-0724 | Elabscience Biotech | 125ml×4 | 98 EUR |
Mouse Splenocytes CD19+ B Cells |
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ABC-TC3938 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
CD79a, B Cells Antibody, Concentrate |
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MAB895C | Innovex | 0.2ml | 485 EUR |
Human B Cells-Negatively Selected |
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ABC-TC3509 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
Human Cord Blood CD19+ B Cells |
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ABC-TC3368 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
Human Cord Blood CD19+ B Cells |
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CBCD19-C2.5M | 101Bio | 2.5 million | 906 EUR |
Human Cord Blood CD19+ B Cells |
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CBCD19-C5M | 101Bio | 5 million | 1078.8 EUR |
Human Cord Blood CD19+ B Cells |
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CBCD19-F5M | 101Bio | 5 million | 1198.8 EUR |
HEC-1-B Cells Complete Medium |
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CM-0100-125mL4 | Elabscience Biotech | 125 mL×4 | 98 EUR |
Rat CD45Ra Antibody (B Cells Only) |
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GWB-6A11BA | GenWay Biotech | 0.25 mg | Ask for price |
Rat CD45Ra Antibody (B Cells Only) |
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GWB-F09251 | GenWay Biotech | 1 mg | Ask for price |
Rat CD45Ra Antibody (B Cells Only) |
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GWB-D60850 | GenWay Biotech | 0.1 mg | Ask for price |
HEC-1-B Cells Complete Medium |
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CM-0100 | Elabscience Biotech | 125mL×4 | 98 EUR |
Human Peripheral Blood CD19+ B Cells |
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ABC-TC3986 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
Human B lymphocyte / GFP Stable Cells |
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SC060-G | GenTarget | 2 x 106 cell/ml x 1ml | 2670 EUR |
Human B lymphocyte / RFP Stable Cells |
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SC060-R | GenTarget | 2 x 106 cell/ml x 1ml | 2670 EUR |
CD20 (L26), B Cells Antibody, Concentrate |
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MAB327C | Innovex | 0.2ml | 395 EUR |
B cells and T cells (Pan) mouse monoclonal antibody, clone HIS23, Supernatant |
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AM39050SU-N | Origene Technologies GmbH | 1 ml | Ask for price |
Streptococcus Group B protein (inactivated cells) |
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30-AS86 | Fitzgerald | 1 ml | 155 EUR |
Human Frozen/Untouched PB CD19+ B Cells |
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ABC-TC3437 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
Dendritic cells + B-cells mouse monoclonal antibody, clone RFD1, Supernatant |
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SM1210 | Origene Technologies GmbH | 200 µg | Ask for price |
Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells for B-ALI |
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ABC-TC3138 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
Human B lymphocyte (Luciferase / GFP) Stable Cells |
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SC060-LG | GenTarget | 2 x 106 cell/ml x 1ml | 3540 EUR |
Human B lymphocyte (Luciferase / RFP) Stable Cells |
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SC060-LR | GenTarget | 2 x 106 cell/ml x 1ml | 3540 EUR |
Human Fetal Liver Cells CD34+ Cells |
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ABC-TC3421 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
CMV Specific T Cells, HLA-B*35 restricted |
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ABC-SC0152T | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
CD20 (L26), B Cells Antibody, Ready-To-Use |
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MAB327P | Innovex | 7ml | 395 EUR |
Human Fetal Liver Cells CD133+ Cells |
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ABC-TC3420 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
anti-IgM Heavy chain expressed on B cells |
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522-A | Virogen | 1 MG | 850 EUR |
anti-IgM Heavy chain expressed on B cells |
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522-A-01mg | Virogen | 0,1 mg | 321 EUR |
anti-IgM Heavy chain expressed on B cells |
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522-A-1000ug | Virogen | 1000 ug | 1539 EUR |
anti-IgM Heavy chain expressed on B cells |
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522-A-100ugvial | Virogen | 100 ug/vial | 150 EUR |
B-CPAP [BC-PAP; BCPAP] Cells Complete Medium |
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CM-0575-125mL4 | Elabscience Biotech | 125 mL×4 | 98 EUR |
B-CPAP [BC-PAP; BCPAP] Cells Complete Medium |
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CM-0575 | Elabscience Biotech | 125mL×4 | 98 EUR |
Human Frozen/Positively Selected PB CD19+ B Cells |
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ABC-TC3434 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
CD7 (T cells and NK cells), Antibody |
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GWB-20A27F | GenWay Biotech | 0.2 mg | Ask for price |
anti-Transferrin receptor on activated T-B-, cells |
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518-A | Virogen | 1 MG | 850 EUR |
anti-Transferrin receptor on activated T-B- cells |
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518-A-01mg | Virogen | 0,1 mg | 321 EUR |
anti-Transferrin receptor on activated T-B- cells |
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518-A-1000ug | Virogen | 1000 ug | 1539 EUR |
anti-Transferrin receptor on activated T-B-, cells |
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518-A-100ugvial | Virogen | 100 ug/vial | 150 EUR |
Human Blood CD14+ Cells, 10 million cells |
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ABC-TC3110 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
Human Blood CD14+ Cells, 20 million cells |
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ABC-TC3111 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
Human Blood CD14+ Cells, 40 million cells |
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ABC-TC3112 | AcceGen | 1 vial | Ask for price |
5637 cells |
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C0002001 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 390 EUR |
293 cells |
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A007 | ABM | 1x10^6 | 450 EUR |
K1 cells |
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C0025003 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 520 EUR |
RD cells |
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C0035001 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 390 EUR |
FO cells |
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C0003017 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 400 EUR |
A9 cells |
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P0011007 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 420 EUR |
BJ cells |
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P0020005 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 390 EUR |
ST cells |
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P0028002 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 420 EUR |
FM Cells |
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T8282 | ABM | 1x10^6 cells/1.0ml | 1350 EUR |
C6 Cells |
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T8961 | ABM | 1x10^6 cells / 1.0 ml | 650 EUR |
F9 Cells |
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T8965 | ABM | 1x10^6 cells / 1.0 ml | 650 EUR |
A10.7 cells |
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C0018006 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 520 EUR |
C32 cells |
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C0020002 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 390 EUR |
N87 cells |
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C0023002 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 390 EUR |
AGS cells |
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C0023004 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 390 EUR |
R2C cells |
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C0028001 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 420 EUR |
Y79 cells |
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C0029001 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 390 EUR |
NB3 cells |
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C0033003 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 520 EUR |
RS4;11 cells |
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C0003012 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 390 EUR |
REH cells |
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C0003031 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 390 EUR |
4T1 cells |
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C0006004 | Addexbio | One Frozen vial | 390 EUR |
MULTIPLEX KIT PCR MASTITIS PCR kit | |||
PCR-MPX218-48D | |||
MULTIPLEX KIT PCR MASTITIS PCR kit | |||
PCR-MPX218-96D | |||
PCR Mix | |||
L5051100 |