A critical role for cell polarity in antigen extraction, processing, and presentation by B lymphocytes.
The activation of B lymphocytes in response to external stimuli represents a key step in the adaptive immune response, which is required for the production of high-affinity antibodies and for the generation of long-term memory. Because the dysregulation of B lymphocyte responses can lead to diverse pathological situations, B cells are considered today as valuable therapeutic targets for immunomodulation, in particular in the context of autoimmune reactions. Here, we review the fundamental molecular and cell biological mechanisms that enable B cells to efficiently sense, acquire, and respond to extracellular antigens. A special emphasis is given to cell polarity, which was shown to be critical for the regulation of antigen acquisition, processing, and presentation by B lymphocytes. How cell polarity coordinates the various steps of B lymphocyte activation and might impact the humoral immune response is further discussed.
INSERM U932, Institut Curie, Paris, France.
Dorian
D
Obino
INSERM U932, Institut Curie, Paris, France. Electronic address: ana-maria.lennon@curie.fr.
Ana-Maria
AM
Lennon-Duménil
D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D054992:Immunological Synapses; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
Antigen extraction; Antigen processing; B cells; Cell polarity; Lysosomes; MTOC; Myosin II