The role of the CD19/CD21 complex in B cell processing and presentation of complement-tagged antigens

J Immunol. 2001 Jul 1;167(1):163-72. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.167.1.163.

Abstract

The CD19/CD21 complex is an essential B cell coreceptor that functions synergistically to enhance signaling through the B cell Ag receptor in response to T cell-dependent, complement-tagged Ags. In this study, we use a recombinant protein containing three tandemly arranged copies of C3d and the Ag hen egg lysozyme, shown to be a highly effective immunogen in vivo, to evaluate the role of the CD19/CD21 complex in Ag processing in B cells. Evidence is provided that coengagement of the CD19/CD21 complex results in more rapid and efficient production of antigenic peptide/class II complexes as compared with B cell Ag receptor-mediated processing alone. The CD19/CD21 complex does not itself target complement-tagged Ags for processing, but rather appears to influence B cell Ag processing through its signaling function. The ability of the CD19/CD21 complex to augment processing may be an important element of the mechanism by which the CD19/CD21 complex functions to promote B cell responses to T cell-dependent complement-tagged Ags in vivo.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / physiology
  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology*
  • Antigens, CD19 / physiology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Complement C3d / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / metabolism
  • Ligands
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Muramidase / metabolism
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Phosphorylcholine / metabolism
  • Pinocytosis / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / metabolism
  • Receptors, Complement 3d / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antigens, CD19
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • I-Ak antigen
  • Ligands
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell
  • Receptors, Complement 3d
  • Phosphorylcholine
  • Complement C3d
  • hen egg lysozyme
  • Muramidase