21 Difference Between T Cells and B Cells (With Table)

The immune alert system of human bodies usually goes off after invasion by bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The cellular activity in the immune system set-off a chain reaction.

The macrophages are deployed to help in attacking the pathogens. Examples of these macrophages are basophils and dendritic cells or neutrophils.

Sometimes the body becomes overwhelmed with these invaders. These macrophages turn into T cells and B cells that learn particular foreign threats and attack them.

So, what is the main difference between T cells and B cells? The T cells can only recognize the viral antigens outside the infected cell while B cells can recognize the surface of both bacteria and viruses.

This article provides further explanation of the differences between T cells and B cells. Take the time to read through it and learn more about their similarities.

You May Also Enjoy: Differences between Arteries and Veins

Comparison Table (T Cells Vs B Cells)

Basic Terms	T Cells	B Cells
Description	These are lymphocyte types developed in the thymus to mediate immune response against infected cells in the body.	These are lymphocyte types developed in the bone marrow to recognize a specific pathogen in the body.
Origin	Thymus	Bone marrow
Position	Occur inside the lymph nodes	Occur outside the lymph nodes
Membrane Receptor	Bear TCR receptor	Bear BCR receptor
Recognition of Antigens	Recognize viral antigens from the outside of the infected cells.	Recognize antigens on the surface of bacteria and viruses.
Distribution	Occur in the parafollicular areas of the lymph nodes and the periarteriolar lymphoid sheath of the spleen.	Occur in the germinal centers, subcapsular and medullary cords of lymph nodes, spleen, gut, and respiratory tract.
Lifespan	Longer	Shorter
Surface Antibodies	Lack surface antigens	Have surface antigens
Secretion	Secreted by lymphokines	Secreted by antibodies
Type of Immunity	Cell-mediated immunity	Antibody-mediated immunity
Proportions in the Blood	80%	20%
Types	Helper T cells Cytotoxic T cells	Plasma Cells Memory cells
The movement to the Infected Site	Move to the site of infection	Do not move to the infection site
Tumor Cells and Transplants	Act against tumor cells and transplant	Do not act against tumor cells and transplant.
Inhibitory Effect	Suppressor T cells have an inhibitory effect on the immune system	Do not have an inhibitory effect on the immune system
Defend against	Pathogens such as viruses, fungi, and protists enter the body.	Both bacteria and viruses in the bloodstream or lymph.
Blast Formation	Can be seen after treatment of mitogens such as Concanavalin A.	Can be seen after the interaction with bacterial endotoxin and Epstein-Barr virus.
SRBC rosette	Present	Absent
Receptors for the C3 complement	Absent	Present
IgM	Absent on the surface	Present on the surface
Observation under an electron microscope	No display of cytoplasmic projections.	Display smooth and microvilli

You May Also Like: Differences between light and electron microscope

What Are T Cells?

T cells are types of lymphocytes that originate from the Thymus. These cells are also known as T lymphocytes that are produced in the bone marrow and migrate to the thymus for maturity.

T cells are further differentiated into helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, and suppressor T cells. The helper T cells are responsible for recognizing antigens and activating both B cells and Cytotoxic T cells.

The B cells secrete antibodies and cytotoxic T cells destroy the infected cells through apoptosis. The suppresser T Cells modulate the immune system to withstand self-antigens and prevent autoimmune diseases.

Both cytotoxic and helper T cells are known for identifying various antigens in the circulatory system. These antigens usually present themselves on the surface of the APS.

Examples of APS cells are Macrophages, dendritic cells, Langerhans cells, and B cells. These cells later phagocytize pathogens and present the epitopes on their surfaces.

Major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) are the crucial molecules that present in the epitopes on the surface of the APS cells. The molecule is classified into class 1 and class 2.

The MHC class 1 occurs on the surface of cytotoxic T cells and class 2 on the surface of helper T cells. The T cell receptors later bond the T cells with MHC molecules on the APS cells.

The CD4 and CD8 coreceptors are also identified to stabilize the binding. The CD4 coreceptors occur on the helper T cells and CD8 coreceptors occur on the cytotoxic T cells.

The CD3 coreceptors are responsible for transmitting to the cell about the binding of the MHC complex to the T cells. It occurs on the surface of the cytotoxic T cells.

The immunity stimulated by the T cells is usually antigen specificity. Cell-mediated immunity is the type of immunity triggered by T cells.

What Are B Cells?

B cells are types of lymphocytes that are developed in the bone marrow. These cells are also known as B lymphocytes that enhance antibody-mediated immunity.

B cells are responsible for producing antigen-specific antibodies. The immunoglobulin ends up invading the pathogen. The B cells bind with the antigen in the circulation through B cell receptors.

The B cells undergo differentiation during the binding process to release antibody-producing plasma and memory cells.

Some antigens might require helper T cell participation with the plasma cells to produce antibodies. These T-dependent antigens bind with helper T cells to stimulate the production of antibodies.

The antibodies produced by the T-dependent antigens have high affinity while the T-independent antigens have low affinity. The T-independent antigens produce IgG and IgM antibodies.

Keep in mind that the immunoglobulin in the T-dependent agent circulation is more specific when it comes to offering both primary and secondary immune responses.

The naïve B cells provide primary immune responses and memory B cells offer secondary immune responses. B cells offer protection against antigens.

You Might Also Like: Differences between Humoral Immunity and Cell-mediated Immunity

Main Differences between T Cells and B Cells

T cells originate from the thymus. B cells originate from bone marrow.
T cells occur, insider, the lymph nodes. B cells occur outside the lymph nodes.
T cells bear TCR. B cells bear BCR.
T cells have a longer lifespan. B cells have a shorter lifespan.
B cells have surface antigens. T cells lack surface antigens.
T cells involved in cell-mediated immunity. B cells involve antibody-mediated immunity.
T cells move to the site of infection. B cells do not move to the site of infection.

Similarities between T Cells and B Cells

Both originate from the bone marrow.
Both are types of lymphocytes.
Both occur in the blood.
Both are subdivisions of white blood cells.
Both occur in the lymphatic system.
Both entail adaptative immunity.
Both can recognize various pathogenic antigens
Both are motile and nucleated cells.
Both are nonphagocytic cells.

In Conclusion

Understanding how T cells and B cells work is quite important. It is another way of telling the differences between T cells and B cells. These cells are responsible for improving the immune system by attacking pathogens.

The main difference between T cells and B cells is based on the region of development. T cells originate in the bone marrow and migrate to the thymus for maturation. B cells are developed in the bone marrow.

More Sources and References