Abstract
B cells are selected by the binding of antigen to clonally distributed B cell receptors (BCRs), triggering signalling cascades that result in B cell activation. With the recent application of high-resolution live-cell imaging, we are gaining an understanding of the events that initiate BCR signalling within seconds of its engagement with antigen. These observations are providing a molecular explanation for fundamental aspects of B cell responses, including antigen affinity discrimination and the value of class switching, as well as insights into the underlying causes of B cell tumorigenesis. Advances in our understanding of the earliest molecular events that follow antigen binding to the BCR may provide a general framework for the initiation of signalling in the adaptive immune system.
🔬 Techniques
🧬 Organisms
✨ Fluorophores
🧪 Sample Preparation
🔬 Cell Lines
🏛️ Research Organizations (ROR)
Affiliated research institutions:
📊 Figures
Figure 1
The structural organization of the B cell receptor
The four-chain structure of the IgM B cell receptor (BCR), composed of the membrane form of IgM associated with a covalently linked heterodimer of Igu03b1 and Igu03b2, is depicted. Cell surface BCRs a...
Figure 2
The u2018conformation-induced oligomerization modelu2019 for B cell receptor microcluster formation
Depicted is an IgM B cell receptor (BCR) in the absence of antigen and in a conformation that is not receptive to oligomerization. The binding of monovalent antigen in a fluid lipid bilayer that canno...
Figure 3
B cell microclusters grow with time after antigen binding
a | B cell receptors (BCRs) in the absence of antigen (left) and in the presence of antigen (right). b | Confocal images showing the spatial distribution of BCRs on the surface of a B cell placed on a...
Figure 4
Models for how B cell receptor oligomers trigger signalling
a | B cell receptor (BCR) oligomers may simply bring the BCR-associated tyrosine kinase LYN into close proximity with the Igu03b1u2013Igu03b2 heterodimer for trans -phosphorylation of immunoreceptor t...
Figure images are served from the NIH/NLM PubMed Central Open Access Subset or Europe PMC; copyright remains with the publishers and authors.
💬 Discussion
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