What counts in the immunological synapse?

Journal article

Molecular interactions at the interface between helper T cells and antigen-presenting B cells govern the ability to produce specific antibodies, which is a central event in protective immunity generated by natural infection or man-made vaccines. In order for a T cell to deliver effective help to a B cell and guide affinity maturation, it needs to provide feedback that is proportional to the amount of antigen the B cell collects with its surface antibody. This review focuses on mechanisms by which T and B cells manage to count the products of antigen capture and encourage B cells with the best receptors to dominate the response and make antibody-producing plasma cells. We discuss what is known about the proportionality of T cells responses to presented antigens and consider the mechanisms that B cells may use to keep count of positive feedback from T cells.

Authors: Dustin, M

• Publication status: Published
• Publisher: Cell Press
• Journal: Molecular cell
• Volume: 54
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 255-262
• Publication date: 2014-04-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2014.04.001
• EISSN: 1097-4164
• ISSN: 1097-2765
• Language: English
• Keywords: T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; B-Lymphocytes; Major Histocompatibility Complex; Antigen Presentation; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; Asymmetric Cell Division; Cell Membrane; Exosomes; Models, Immunological