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
MagSi-WAX
MD03025
MagSi-WAX
MD01025

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.

 

B-Cell Marker BLCAM
B-Cell Marker BLCAM

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.

Human Leucine-rich repeat flightless-interacting protein 1 (LRRFIP1)

1-CSB-EP013175HU(B) Cusabio
  • 456.00 EUR
  • 256.80 EUR
  • 1570.80 EUR
  • 672.00 EUR
  • 1047.60 EUR
  • 314.40 EUR
  • 100ug
  • 10ug
  • 1MG
  • 200ug
  • 500ug
  • 50ug

Human Plexin-A1 (PLXNA1)

1-CSB-RP143094h(B) Cusabio
  • 456.00 EUR
  • 256.80 EUR
  • 1570.80 EUR
  • 672.00 EUR
  • 1047.60 EUR
  • 314.40 EUR
  • 100ug
  • 10ug
  • 1MG
  • 200ug
  • 500ug
  • 50ug

Dendritic Cells/B Cells Antibody

abx412775-02mg Abbexa 0.2 mg 678 EUR

anti-CD45 RA B-cells, T-cells, NK-cells

516-A-01mg Virogen 0,1 mg 321 EUR

anti-CD45 RA B-cells, T-cells, NK-cells

516-A-1000ug Virogen 1000 ug 1539 EUR

Anti-B-cells antibody

STJ16100750 St John's Laboratory 1 mL 577.2 EUR

Anti-B-cells antibody

STJ16100942 St John's Laboratory 1 mL 422.4 EUR

Fmoc-b,b-diphenyl-Ala-OH

B-2725.0250 Bachem 250.0mg 166.8 EUR

Fmoc-b,b-diphenyl-Ala-OH

B-2725.1000 Bachem 1.0g 428.4 EUR

Fmoc-b,b-diphenyl-Ala-OH

B-2725.5000 Bachem 5.0g 1603.2 EUR

Rat Pan B Cells antibody

10R-B124a Fitzgerald 50 ug 910.8 EUR

Anti-CD22/B-cells antibody

STJ16100034 St John's Laboratory 100 µg 487.2 EUR

Ramos Cells , DNA Aptamer, Biotinylated

AD-138-B Alpha Diagnostics Custom Ask for price

Analyte Mix B

507-B Scientific Laboratory Supplies 1ML 182.4 EUR

Analyte Mix B

5081-B Scientific Laboratory Supplies 1ML 129.96 EUR

Phenolics Mix B

8040-B Scientific Laboratory Supplies 1ML 61.56 EUR

Streptococcus Group B protein (inactivated cells)

30-AS86 Fitzgerald 1 ml 236.4 EUR

Human B lymphocyte / GFP Stable Cells

SC060-G GenTarget 2 x 106 cell/ml x 1ml 2670 EUR

Human B lymphocyte / RFP Stable Cells

SC060-R GenTarget 2 x 106 cell/ml x 1ml 2670 EUR

Angiogenic endothelial cells, Peptide Aptamer, Biotinylated

AP-302-B Alpha Diagnostics 1 mg Ask for price

Endothelial Cells (P36), Peptide Aptamer, Biotinylated

AP-308-B Alpha Diagnostics 1 mg Ask for price

Fmoc-b-Ala-OH

B-1025.0005 Bachem 5.0g 138 EUR

Fmoc-b-Ala-OH

B-1025.0025 Bachem 25.0g 283.2 EUR

Fmoc-b-Ala-OH

B-1025.0100 Bachem 100.0g 762 EUR

Fmoc-b-Ala-OPfp

B-1765.0005 Bachem 5.0g 283.2 EUR

Fmoc-b-Ala-OPfp

B-1765.0025 Bachem 25.0g 1009.2 EUR

Purgeable Gases Mix B

5022-B Scientific Laboratory Supplies 1ML 27.36 EUR

Purgeable Gases Mix B

624-B Scientific Laboratory Supplies 1ML 249.66 EUR

PC12 Cells (Aptamer, Biotinylated17a) , DNA Aptamer, Biotinylated

AD-132-B Alpha Diagnostics Custom Ask for price

Fmoc-b-cyclohexyl-Ala-OH

B-1975.0001 Bachem 1.0g 151.2 EUR

Fmoc-b-cyclohexyl-Ala-OH

B-1975.0005 Bachem 5.0g 501.6 EUR

Fmoc-b-cyclohexyl-Ala-OH

B-1975.0025 Bachem 25.0g 1430.4 EUR

Fmoc-b-cyclopropyl-Ala-OH

B-2905.0001 Bachem 1.0g 414 EUR

Fmoc-b-cyclopropyl-Ala-OH

B-2905.0005 Bachem 5.0g 1561.2 EUR

Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons Mix B

8100-B Scientific Laboratory Supplies 1ML 788.88 EUR

Pan B-Cells (Ig Light Chain) Antibody

abx413491-01mg Abbexa 0.1 mg 543.6 EUR

Human B lymphocyte (Luciferase / GFP) Stable Cells

SC060-LG GenTarget 2 x 106 cell/ml x 1ml 3540 EUR

Human B lymphocyte (Luciferase / RFP) Stable Cells

SC060-LR GenTarget 2 x 106 cell/ml x 1ml 3540 EUR

Acute myeloid leukemia cells (KH1C12), DNA Aptamer, Biotinylated

AD-102-B Alpha Diagnostics Custom Ask for price

human umbilical vein endothelial cells, Peptide Aptamer, Biotinylated

AP-316-B Alpha Diagnostics 1 mg Ask for price

Fmoc-b-azido-Aib-OH · BHA

B-4530.0001 Bachem 1.0g 846 EUR

Fmoc-b-(2-thienyl)-Ala-OH

B-1665.0001 Bachem 1.0g 340.8 EUR

Fmoc-b-(2-thienyl)-Ala-OH

B-1665.0005 Bachem 5.0g 1255.2 EUR

Fmoc-b-(3-pyridyl)-Ala-OH

B-2005.0001 Bachem 1.0g 471.6 EUR

Fmoc-b-(3-pyridyl)-Ala-OH

B-2005.0005 Bachem 5.0g 1778.4 EUR

Fmoc-b-cyclohexyl-D-Ala-OH

B-2345.0001 Bachem 1.0g 181.2 EUR

Fmoc-b-cyclohexyl-D-Ala-OH

B-2345.0005 Bachem 5.0g 618 EUR

Fmoc-b-cyclohexyl-D-Ala-OH

B-2345.0025 Bachem 25.0g 2358 EUR

Fmoc-b-(3-benzothienyl)-Ala-OH

B-2830.0001 Bachem 1.0g 254.4 EUR

Fmoc-b-(3-benzothienyl)-Ala-OH

B-2830.0005 Bachem 5.0g 907.2 EUR

Fmoc-b-cyclopropyl-D-Ala-OH

B-2915.0001 Bachem 1.0g 704.4 EUR

Fmoc-b-cyclopropyl-D-Ala-OH

B-2915.0005 Bachem 5.0g 2706 EUR

Fmoc-b-(2-quinolyl)-Ala-OH

B-3165.0250 Bachem 250.0mg 457.2 EUR

Fmoc-b-(2-quinolyl)-Ala-OH

B-3165.1000 Bachem 1.0g 1284 EUR

vaccinia virus?infected A549 cells (TV08) , DNA Aptamer, Biotinylated

AD-153-B Alpha Diagnostics Custom Ask for price

YPEN-1 Endothelial Cells (III.1) , DNA Aptamer, Biotinylated

AD-154-B Alpha Diagnostics Custom Ask for price

Breast Cancer Cells (a-peptide 18), Peptide Aptamer, Biotinylated

AP-305-B Alpha Diagnostics 1 mg Ask for price

Fmoc-b-azido-D-Aib-OH · BHA

B-4535.0001 Bachem 1.0g 846 EUR

Fmoc-b-(3-pyridyl)-D-Ala-OH

B-2040.0001 Bachem 1.0g 327.6 EUR

Fmoc-b-(3-pyridyl)-D-Ala-OH

B-2040.0005 Bachem 5.0g 1197.6 EUR

Fmoc-b-(2-thienyl)-D-Ala-OH

B-2120.0001 Bachem 1.0g 370.8 EUR

Fmoc-b-(2-thienyl)-D-Ala-OH

B-2120.0005 Bachem 5.0g 1371.6 EUR

Fmoc-b-(2-quinolyl)-D-Ala-OH

B-3170.0250 Bachem 250.0mg 529.2 EUR

Fmoc-b-(2-quinolyl)-D-Ala-OH

B-3170.1000 Bachem 1.0g 1531.2 EUR

Fmoc-b-(3-benzothienyl)-D-Ala-OH

B-3435.0001 Bachem 1.0g 400.8 EUR

Fmoc-b-(3-benzothienyl)-D-Ala-OH

B-3435.0005 Bachem 5.0g 1488 EUR

Fmoc-b-(1-piperazinyl)-Ala(Boc)-OH

B-3725.0250 Bachem 250.0mg 459.6 EUR

Fmoc-b-(1-piperazinyl)-Ala(Boc)-OH

B-3725.1000 Bachem 1.0g 1305.6 EUR

anti-Transferrin receptor on activated T-B- cells

518-A-01mg Virogen 0,1 mg 321 EUR

anti-Transferrin receptor on activated T-B- cells

518-A-1000ug Virogen 1000 ug 1539 EUR

anti-IgM Heavy chain expressed on B cells

522-A-01mg Virogen 0,1 mg 321 EUR

anti-IgM Heavy chain expressed on B cells

522-A-1000ug Virogen 1000 ug 1539 EUR

Pan B-Cells (Ig Light Chain) Antibody (FITC)

abx413490-01mg Abbexa 0.1 mg 777.6 EUR

Pan B-Cells (Ig Light Chain) Antibody (RPE)

abx413492-100tests Abbexa 100 tests 861.6 EUR

VEGF-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells, Peptide Aptamer, Biotinylated

AP-339-B Alpha Diagnostics 1 mg Ask for price

Fmoc-Ser(GalNAc(Ac)3-b-D)-OH

B-4235.0025 Bachem 25.0mg 318 EUR

Fmoc-Ser(GalNAc(Ac)3-b-D)-OH

B-4235.0100 Bachem 100.0mg 882 EUR
PCR Tubes (50)
PCR-50
MULTIPLEX KIT PCR MASTITIS PCR kit
PCR-MPX218-48D
MULTIPLEX KIT PCR MASTITIS PCR kit
PCR-MPX218-96D

 

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here