Video - B-cell development

B-cell development consists of a series of cellular transitions, from hematopoietic stem cells into immunocompetent B cells. Depending on the step, these processes take place in different organs namely the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen.

Like any other type of blood cell, B cells originate from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). HSCs give rise to common lymphoid progenitor cells, which in their turn become either B-cells or T-cells. B cell development takes place in a series of six main stages. First, they start as common lymphoid progenitor cells, which become early pro-B cells, then late pro-B cells, next large pre-B cells, then small pre-B cells, and finally, immature B cells. Immature B cells then migrate from the bone marrow into the lymph nodes and spleen to complete the process of maturation.