B cells provide a variety of important functions to the adaptive immune system including antibody production, antigen presentation, and cytokine secretion, as well as being required for the development of proper lymphoid architecture. B cells originate in the bone marrow, where they mature and produce an initial diverse repertoire of non-self reactive B-cell receptors. After moving to the periphery, naïve B cells are presented with antigen by dendritic and other antigen-presenting cells. B cells that come in contact with and can recognize antigen become activated, expand, and further alter the B-cell receptor to improve antigen specificity through somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation. This B-cell receptor is subsequently secreted as active, mature antibody. Antibodies are able to recognize and bind to bacteria, viruses, and other antigens, initiating a cascade of processes that rid the body of pathogens.
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