biostudies-literatureTorgbor CNIGMS NIH HHSe2414514122https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11912367biostudies-literatureUnknown122(10)B cell responses to membrane-presented antigens appear to be strongly favored over soluble antigens in vivo suggesting that vaccines that mimic membrane-presented antigens may be highly efficacious. We recently demonstrated that human B cell responses to membrane-associated but not to soluble antigens in vitro depended on the expression and activity of the plasma membrane mechanosensitive ion channel, Piezo1. Here, we provide evidence that the efficacy of the current human papillomavirus virus-like particle (HPV VLP) vaccines may be due in part to their inherent ability to mimic Piezo1-dependent membrane presentation of antigens to B cells. We compared HPV-specific human B cell responses to HPV VLPs versus soluble HPV pentameric capsomeres and showed that although both induced calcium respProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of AmericaIn the activation of HPV-specific human B cells HPV-VLP vaccines mimic membrane-associated antigens.PMC11912367R35 GM155038Torgbor CMutic ECUlker EBBrzostowski JSohn HSchiller JTPierce SKTraver MDizon BLPGalloway DAKwak KGeorge RAkkaya MThompson CDCuburu NfalseIn the activation of HPV-specific human B cells HPV-VLP vaccines mimic membrane-associated antigens.B cell responses to membrane-presented antigens appear to be strongly favored over soluble antigens in vivo suggesting that vaccines that mimic membrane-presented antigens may be highly efficacious. We recently demonstrated that human B cell responses to membrane-associated but not to soluble antigens in vitro depended on the expression and activity of the plasma membrane mechanosensitive ion channel, Piezo1. Here, we provide evidence that the efficacy of the current human papillomavirus virus-like particle (HPV VLP) vaccines may be due in part to their inherent ability to mimic Piezo1-dependent membrane presentation of antigens to B cells. We compared HPV-specific human B cell responses to HPV VLPs versus soluble HPV pentameric capsomeres and showed that although both induced calcium resp2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Mar2026-05-29T15:14:10.054Z2026-04-08T05:09:38.662ZS-EPMC119123674003001410.1073/pnas.2414514122