Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Studying Organelle Dynamics in B Cells During Immune Synapse Formation
Published on: June 1, 2019
B cells productively engage soluble antigen-pulsed dendritic cells: visualization of live-cell dynamics of B
Ning-Na Huang1, Sang-Bae Han, Il-Young Hwang
1B Cell Molecular Immunology Section, Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Interactions between B lymphocytes and Ag-bearing dendritic cells (DC) likely occur at inflammatory sites and within lymphoid organs. To better understand these interactions we imaged B cells (TgB) from hen egg lysozyme (HEL) transgenic mice and DC pulsed with HEL (DC-HEL) in collagen matrices. Analysis of live-cell dynamics revealed autonomous movements and repeated encounters between TgB cells and DC-HEL that are best described by a "kiss-run and engage" model, whereas control B cells had only short-lived interactions. Ag localized at contact sites between TgB cells and DC-HEL, and both cell types rearranged their actin cytoskeletons toward the contact zone. The interaction of a TgB cell with a HEL-bearing DC triggered strong Ca2+ transients in the B cells. Thus, B cells can productively interact with DC displaying their cognate Ag.
Interactions between B lymphocytes and Ag-bearing dendritic cells (DC) likely occur at inflammatory sites and within lymphoid organs. To better understand these interactions we imaged B cells (TgB) from hen egg lysozyme (HEL) transgenic mice and DC pulsed with HEL (DC-HEL) in collagen matrices. Analysis of live-cell dynamics revealed autonomous movements and repeated encounters between TgB cells and DC-HEL that are best described by a "kiss-run and engage" model, whereas control B cells had only short-lived interactions. Ag localized at contact sites between TgB cells and DC-HEL, and both cell types rearranged their actin cytoskeletons toward the contact zone. The interaction of a TgB cell with a HEL-bearing DC triggered strong Ca2+ transients in the B cells. Thus, B cells can productively interact with DC displaying their cognate Ag.
