Antibody Production

Antibody production:

• Each B cell produces antibodies recognizing a single epitope on the surface of an intact antigen
• First signal is received when the antigen binds to the B cell
• Antigen is internalized and fragments of the digested antigen are displayed 
• Displayed antigen fragments are recognized by helper T cells
• Activated T cells provide the second signal to the B cell
• Activated B cell releases high-affinity IgG antibodies

The immune system has self-tolerance mechanisms to remove the autoreactive B cells. The cells either become inactive, or die.

In a dysfunctional immune system, the tolerance mechanism is compromised, thus allowing the autoreactive B cells to produce antibodies to self. The resulting condition may lead to the development of autoimmune disease.