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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

A TIRF Microscopy Technique for Real-time, Simultaneous Imaging of the TCR and its Associated Signaling Proteins
Published on: March 22, 2012
TCR-induced transmembrane signaling by peptide/MHC class II via associated Ig-alpha/beta dimers
P Lang1, J C Stolpa, B A Freiberg
1Integrated Department of Immunology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and National Jewish Medical and Research Center, 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA.
Abstract:
Previous findings suggest that during cognate T cell-B cell interactions, major histocompatability complex (MHC) class II molecules transduce signals, leading to Src-family kinase activation, Ca2+ mobilization, and proliferation. Here, we show that antigen stimulation of resting B cells induces MHC class II molecules to associate with Immunoglobulin (Ig)-alpha/Ig-beta (CD79a/CD79b) heterodimers, which function as signal transducers upon MHC class II aggregation by the T cell receptor (TCR). The B cell receptor (BCR) and MHC class II/Ig-alpha/Ig-beta are distinct complexes, yet class II-associated Ig-alpha/beta appears to be derived from BCR. Hence, Ig-alpha/beta are used in a sequential fashion for transduction of antigen and cognate T cell help signals.
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