What type of cells produce autoantibodies in response to immune activation?

B-cells are responsible for the production of autoantibodies in response to immune activation. Autoantibodies are antibodies that mistakenly target and react with a person's own tissues and organs, leading to autoimmune diseases. When the immune system is activated—whether due to infections, environmental triggers, or other mechanisms—B-cells can become stimulated and differentiate into plasma cells that secrete these autoantibodies.

This process is central to the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, where the immune system fails to distinguish between self and non-self, resulting in an attack on the body's own cells. The other cell types listed do not primarily produce autoantibodies; neutrophils are mainly involved in the innate immune response, T-cells manage cellular immunity and help regulate B-cells, and macrophages play a role in phagocytosis and antigen presentation.