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Science 5 May 2006:
Vol. 312. no. 5774, p. 653
DOI: 10.1126/science.312.5774.653g
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Antibodies are produced by B cells after antigens stimulate receptors on their surface and other appropriate signals have been received. If antigens are bound to the surface of another cell, activation signals can be particularly strong and allow B cells to discriminate among a wide range of antigen affinities. Fleire et al. (p. 738; see the Perspective by Harnett) show that B cells can actually focus antigen into aggregates that resemble the well-characterized immune synapses of T cells. After initial contact, B cells spread themselves over the other cell and then contract, gathering up antigens in the process. This response depended on both antigen affinity and ligand occupancy, suggesting how both parameters might be used to optimize an evolving antibody response.




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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)