What is the role of plasma cells in the immune system?

Plasma cells play a crucial role in the immune system by secreting large volumes of antibodies. These specialized cells are derived from activated B lymphocytes (B cells) after they encounter a specific antigen. Once activated, B cells undergo a process of differentiation to become plasma cells, which are responsible for producing antibodies specific to the detected pathogen.

Antibodies are proteins that bind to antigens on pathogens, neutralizing them or marking them for destruction by other immune cells. This large-scale production of antibodies is essential for an effective immune response, as it enables the body to target and eliminate invaders such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins more efficiently. Plasma cells can produce thousands of antibody molecules each second, providing a rapid and robust defense mechanism.

Other roles such as maturing T cells, presenting antigens to macrophages, or engaging in phagocytosis are not functions of plasma cells. Those processes are typically associated with different cell types within the immune system, such as dendritic cells or T helper cells, which serve distinct but complementary roles in orchestrating the immune response.