From the Guidelines
B cells being greater than plasma cells is not necessarily a comparison of greater than, as B cells mature into plasma cells, but if we're considering the role and function, B cells are more versatile and have a broader range of functions compared to plasma cells [ 1 ].
Key Differences
- B cells can recognize antigens, activate immune responses, and differentiate into plasma cells, which are specialized for antibody production.
- Plasma cells, on the other hand, are primarily responsible for producing large amounts of antibodies, and are the primary source of antibody production [ 1 ].
Clinical Implications
In terms of treatment or management, the approach would depend on the specific condition or disease being targeted, such as using medications like rituximab to deplete B cells in certain autoimmune diseases or conditions.
- However, plasma cells do not express CD20 antigen and thus are not susceptible to ablation with the CD-20 antibody rituximab [ 1 ].
- The role of splenectomy in the management of antibody-mediated rejection remains unclear, and should likely be reserved as a last resort for patients with refractory conditions and who have exhausted all other therapies [ 1 ].
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Significance of B Cells Being Greater Than Plasma Cells
The significance of B cells being greater than plasma cells can be understood by considering the roles and functions of both cell types in the immune system.
- B cells are vital in renal transplantation and have a wide variety of functions, including antibody production, antigen presentation, cytokine production, and shaping of the splenic architecture 2.
- B cells are responsible for protective antibody production after differentiation into antibody-secreting cells during humoral immune responses, and they display ever-changing functions and properties as they mature and differentiate into plasma cells or memory B cells 3.
- Plasma cells, on the other hand, secrete large amounts of antibodies and develop from B cells that have been activated, ensuring humoral immunity 4.
Comparison of B Cells and Plasma Cells
Key differences between B cells and plasma cells include:
- B cells have a longer lifespan and can differentiate into memory B cells or plasma cells, whereas plasma cells are terminally differentiated cells that continuously secrete antibody without requiring further antigenic stimulation 5.
- B cells have a wider range of functions, including antigen presentation and cytokine production, whereas plasma cells are primarily responsible for antibody secretion 2, 3.
- The mechanisms involved in maintaining long-term antibody production by plasma cells are not fully understood, but it is thought that plasma cells are imprinted with a predetermined lifespan based on the magnitude of B-cell signaling that occurs during the induction of an antigen-specific humoral immune response 5.
Implications of B Cell Dominance
The dominance of B cells over plasma cells may have implications for:
- Humoral immunity, as B cells play a crucial role in the production of antibodies and the development of long-term immune responses 4, 5.
- The treatment of diseases, such as renal transplantation, where B cells and plasma cells play important roles in graft rejection and acceptance 2.
- The development of therapeutic strategies, such as targeting B cells or plasma cells to modulate the immune response and prevent disease 2, 6.