B Cell Receptor Crosslinking Augments Germinal Center B Cell Selection when T Cell Help Is Limiting.

ABSTRACT: Antigen-dependent engagement of germinal center (GC) B cell receptors (BCRs) promotes antigen internalization and presentation for follicular helper T cells. However, whether BCR signaling is critical or synergistic with T cell help for GC B cell selection or differentiation is unclear. Here, by adapting an experimental approach that enables independent delivery of BCR-crosslinking antigen or T cell help to GC B cells in vivo, we showed that T cell help was sufficient to induce GC B cell expansion and plasmablast formation. However, although BCR crosslinking could not by itself promote GC B cell selection or differentiation, it could synergize with T cell help to enhance the GC and plasmablast responses when T cell help was limiting. These findings indicate that GC B cells can integrate va

SUBMITTER: Turner JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6289055 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature