Single-molecule measurement of mechanical forces during B cell antigen recognition

Abstract

The generation of protective antibodies by B cells is crucial for an effective immune response to pathogens and forms the basis for vaccines and immunotherapies. Upon antigen binding, the B cell receptor (BCR) initiates intracellular signalling events leading to the formation of an immune synapse, enabling antigen capture for processing and presentation to T cells. The ability of BCRs to discriminate different antigen affinities at the immune synapse is thought to underpin the affinity maturation of antibodies.