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.