Antibodyproducing

Antibody-producing describes cells or processes involved in the generation of antibodies, the proteins that recognize and help neutralize foreign antigens as part of the humoral immune response. The primary antibody-producing cells are B lymphocytes and their differentiated descendants, plasma cells. B cells develop in the bone marrow, acquire a diverse B cell receptor through V(D)J recombination, and migrate to secondary lymphoid tissues. Upon antigen encounter, with help from CD4+ T cells, B cells undergo clonal expansion and differentiate into plasma cells that secrete large amounts of soluble antibodies, and into memory B cells for long-term protection.

Secreted antibodies bind antigens, neutralize pathogens, opsonize for phagocytosis, and can activate the classical complement pathway. Antibody isotypes (IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE, IgD) differ in distribution and function. During an immune response, B cells may undergo somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination in germinal centers, increasing antibody affinity and changing isotype.

Antibody production also occurs in laboratory settings. Monoclonal antibodies are produced by hybridoma technology or recombinant expression in mammalian cell lines; polyclonal antibodies are produced by immunizing animals and collecting serum. In diagnostics, serology tests detect antibodies to indicate prior exposure to an antigen.

Abnormal or excessive antibody production can be involved in autoimmune diseases or allergies, while insufficient production underlies certain immunodeficiencies. Vaccination aims to elicit protective antibody production.