title: Studying MHC class II presentation of immobilized antigen by B lymphocytes.
abstract: The ability of B lymphocytes to capture external antigens (Ag) and present them as peptide fragments, loaded on Major Histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, to CD4(+) T cells is a crucial part of the adaptive immune response. This allows T-B cooperation, a cellular communication that is required for B cells to develop into germinal centers (GC) and form mature high-affinity antibody producing cells and to further develop B cell memory. MHC class II antigen presentation by B lymphocytes is a multistep process involving (1) Recognition and capture of external Ag by B lymphocytes through their B cell receptor (BCR); (2) Ag processing, which comprises the degradation of Ag in internal compartments within the B cell and loading of the corresponding peptide fragments on MHC class II molecules and (3) Presentation of MHC II-peptide complexes to CD4(+) T cells. Here, we describe how to study MHC class II antigen presentation by B lymphocytes at these three major levels.
authors: Institut Curie, Inserm U932, Paris, France.
authors: M I
authors: MI
authors: Yuseff
authors: Institut Curie, Inserm U932, Paris, France. ana-maria.lennon@curie.fr.
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Lennon-Dumenil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D055767:Immobilized Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D007840:Latex / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008863:Microspheres
chemical_list: D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D055767:Immobilized Proteins; D007840:Latex