What is the Difference Between Plasma Cells and Memory Cells?

Plasma cells and memory cells are two types of differentiated B cells that play crucial roles in the immune response. The main differences between them are:

1. Function: Plasma cells are responsible for producing and secreting specific antibodies to provide immediate protection, while memory cells are involved in the rapid and enhanced response to secondary challenges.
2. Lifespan: Plasma cells have a shorter lifespan than memory cells.
3. Upon Stimulation: Memory cells can differentiate into plasma cells or re-enter the germinal center, depending on the nature of the challenge. In secondary responses to antigens, memory B cells respond by differentiating into long-lived plasma cells or by re-entering the germinal center.
4. Location: Memory B cells can recirculate through the blood and are found in the spleen, blood, lymphoid organs, and barrier tissues. Plasma cells are mainly found in the bone marrow.
5. Subsets: Phenotypic subsets of memory B cells can be defined based on the expression of surface markers like PD-L2, CD80, and CD73 in mice, and CD27 and FCRL4 in humans.

Comparative Table: Plasma Cells vs Memory Cells

Plasma cells and memory cells are two types of differentiated B lymphocytes that play crucial roles in the immune system. Here is a table summarizing the differences between them:

Plasma cells are responsible for producing antibodies, while memory cells are able to respond quickly and effectively to antigens they have previously encountered. Memory cells can multiply and differentiate, whereas plasma cells cannot. Additionally, memory cells express CD27 and other surface markers, while plasma cells do not express CD20.