Studying MHC Class II Presentation of Immobilized Antigen by B Lymphocytes

The ability of B lymphocytes to capture external antigens (Ag) and present them as peptide fragments, loaded on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules, to CD4(+) T cells is a crucial part of the adaptive immune response. This allows for T-B cooperation, a cellular communication that is required for B cells to develop into germinal centers (GC) and form mature high affinity antibody producing cells and to further develop B cell memory. MHC class II antigen presentation by B lymphocytes is a multistep process involving (1) Recognition and capture of external Ag by B lymphocytes through their B cell receptor (BCR), (2) Ag processing, which comprises the degradation of Ag in internal compartments within the B cell and loading of the corresponding peptide fragments on MHC class II molecules, and (3) Presentation of MHCII-peptide complexes to CD4(+) T cells. Here, we describe how to study the biochemical and morphological changes that occur in B lymphocytes at these three major levels.