Editing Humoral immunity (section)

=== B cell activation ===
When a B cell encounters an antigen, a signal is activated, the antigen binds to the receptor and is taken inside the B cell by [[endocytosis]]. The antigen is processed and presented on the B cell's surface again by [[MHC class II|MHC-II proteins]]. The MHC-II proteins are recognized by [[T helper cell|helper T cells]], stimulating the production of proteins, allowing for B cells to multiply and the descendants to differentiate into antibody-secreting cells circulating in the blood.<ref name="auto">{{Cite journal| vauthors = Janeway Jr CA, Travers P, Walport M, Shlomchik MJ |date=2001|title=B-cell activation by armed helper T cells |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK27142/|journal=Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease. | edition = 5th |language=en}}</ref> B cells can be activated through certain microbial agents without the help of [[T cell|T-cells]] and have the ability to work directly with antigens to provide responses to pathogens present.<ref name="auto"/>