Germinal center entry not selection of B cells is controlled by peptide-MHCII complex density.

ABSTRACT: B cells expressing high affinity antigen receptors are advantaged in germinal centers (GC), perhaps by increased acquisition of antigen for presentation to follicular helper T cells and improved T-cell help. In this model for affinity-dependent selection, the density of peptide/MHCII (pMHCII) complexes on GC B cells is the primary determinant of selection. Here we show in chimeric mice populated by B cells differing only in their capacity to express MHCII (MHCII^+/+ and MHCII^+/-) that GC selection is insensitive to halving pMHCII density. Alone, both B cell types generate identical humoral responses; in competition, MHCII^+/+ B cells are preferentially recruited to early GCs but this advantage does not persist once GCs are established. During GC responses, co

SUBMITTER: Yeh CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5834622 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature