| First Author | Martínez-Riaño A | Year | 2018 |
| Journal | EMBO Rep | Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 9 | PubMed ID | 29987136 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:265194 | Mgi Id | MGI:6199202 |
| Doi | 10.15252/embr.201846016 | Citation | Martinez-Riano A, et al. (2018) Antigen phagocytosis by B cells is required for a potent humoral response. EMBO Rep 19(9) |
| abstractText | Successful vaccines rely on activating a functional humoral response that results from promoting a proper germinal center (GC) reaction. Key in this process is the activation of follicular B cells that need to acquire antigens and to present them to cognate CD4 T cells. Here, we report that follicular B cells can phagocytose large antigen-coated particles, a process thought to be exclusive of specialized antigen-presenting cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells. We show that antigen phagocytosis by B cells is BCR-driven and mechanistically dependent on the GTPase RhoG. Using Rhog(-/-) mice, we show that phagocytosis of antigen by B cells is important for the development of a strong GC response and the generation of high-affinity class-switched antibodies. Importantly, we show that the potentiation effect of alum, a common vaccine adjuvant, requires direct phagocytosis of alum-antigen complexes by B cells. These data suggest a new avenue for vaccination approaches by aiming to deliver 1-3 mum size antigen particles to follicular B cells. |
