Difference Between T Cells and B Cells

Key Difference – T Cells vs B Cells

White blood cellsare an integral part of theimmune system. These cells fight against various types of foreign infectious particles includingbacteria, viruses, andtoxinsthat make people ill. The low number of white blood cells in the blood stream indicates a weakened immune system. There are two main types of white blood cells: phagocytes andlymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells with a prominent round nucleus. Lymphocytes are constantly produced by thestem cellsof the bone marrow. They are released into the blood stream as well as intolymphatic system. Lymphocytes are of three main types named T cells, B cells, andnatural killer cells. T cells travel to thethymusand become mature cells while B cells remain in the bone marrow and become mature. T cells and B cells are the major cellular components of the adaptive immune response. The key difference between T cells and B cells is thatT cells are involved incell-mediated immunitywhile B cells are responsible for humoral immunity.Antibodies are not involved in cell mediated immunity. It occurs via activation ofphagocytes,抗原specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, andcytokinins. Humoral immunity is mediated byantibodiesand other complement proteins and antimicrobial peptides. However, both T cells and B cells work together to fight against an infection.

CONTENTS

1.Overview and Key Difference
2.What are T Cells
3.What are B Cells
4.Similarities Between T Cells and B Cells
5.Side by Side Comparison – T Cells vs B Cells in Tabular Form
6.Summary

What are T Cells?

T cells or T lymphocytes are subtypes of lymphocytes. They act as defender cells against infections. They are part of theadaptive immunity. They are mainly involved in cell mediated immunity which does not occur via antibody production. T cells are produced in the bone marrows. Then they travel to thethymusand become mature. These T cells can be distinguished from other lymphocytes due to the presence of T cell receptors on the T cell surface.

There are different types of T cells. They are helper T cells, memory T cells, killer T cells and suppressor T cells.Helper T cellscooperate with B cells in antibody production and activation ofmacrophagesand inflammation.Memory T cellspersist in the blood stream to provide protection for future infections.Suppressor T cellsprotect healthy tissues.Killer T cellskill virus infected cells directly.

What are B Cells?

B cells, also called B lymphocytes, are a subtype of lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are involved in the adaptive immune response. B cells originate in the bone marrows and circulate via the blood stream. B cells produce membrane bound proteins called antibodies (immunoglobulins). They are located on the surface of the B cells. They are extremely important in the recognition of specific antigens that enter into the body. Antigens can be bacteria, viruses, toxin, etc. The antibodies produced by the B cells selectively bind with the antigens and prevent them entering into the host cells. When an antibody binds to an antigen, it flags the pathogen to the immune system for destruction. Each B cell produces antibodies which are unique to it. Antibodies vary due to the variation of the variable portion of the antibody. Hence, when all b cells produce many different antibodies, they can bind to many target antigens and prevent infections.

B cells present antigens. Hence, they are also known as antigen presenting cells. They also secrete cytokines. B cells and antibodies play a vital role in immune response. Their absence can make severe immunodeficiency diseases and leave the body in an extremely vulnerable state for infections.

What are the Similarities Between T Cells and B Cells?

• B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes work together to fight infection.
• Both cells are white blood cells.
• Both cells are involved in the adaptive immune system.
• Both cell types are produced by bone marrows.

What is the Difference Between T Cells and B Cells?

T Cells vs B Cells
T Cells are a type of lymphocytes that are involved in cell mediated immunity.	B Cells are a type of lymphocytes that are involved in humoral immunity.
Maturity
T Cells mature in the thymus.	B Cells mature in the blood stream.
Production of Antibodies
T Cells do not produce antibodies.	B Cells produce antibodies.

Summary – T Cells vs B Cells

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells circulated in the blood stream. The most abundant two types of lymphocytes are T cells and B cells. B and T cells are produced in the bone marrows. B cells remain in the blood stream while T cells travel into thymus and become mature there. B cells and T cells are two major components in the adaptive immunity. B cells are involved in humoral immunity while T cells are involved in cell mediated immunity. This is the difference between T cells and B cells.

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References:

1. “T cell.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 08 July 2017. Web.Available here12 July 2017.

Image Courtesy:

1。”Blausen 0625淋巴细胞T细胞”,“医疗llery of Blausen Medical 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436. – Own work(CC BY 3.0)viaCommons Wikimedia
2. “Rituxima Binding to CD20 on a B Cell Surface” by NIAID(CC BY 2.0)viaFlickr