title: Early BCR Events and Antigen Capture, Processing, and Loading on MHC Class II on B Cells.
abstract: B cells are efficient antigen-presenting cells (APCs), relying on antigen uptake through the B cell receptor (BCR). The mechanism of antigen recognition remains a topic of debate; while the prevalent view holds that antigens need to be multivalent for BCR activation, monovalent antigens can also initiate B cell responses. In this review, we describe the steps required for antigen uptake, processing, and loading of peptides onto MHC Class II compartments in B cells for efficient presentation to CD4 T cells, with a special focus in the initial steps of BCR recognition of antigen.
authors.affiliation: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research , Cambridge, MA , USA.
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Avalos
authors.affiliation: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research , Cambridge, MA , USA.
authors.forename: Hidde L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Ploegh
keywords: B cell receptor; B cells as APC; antigen presentation by B cells; antigen recognition by BCR; antigen valency