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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
Visualizing the Actin and Microtubule Cytoskeletons at the B-cell Immune Synapse Using Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) Microscopy
Published on: April 9, 2018
The cytoskeleton coordinates the early events of B-cell activation
Naomi E Harwood1, Facundo D Batista
1Lymphocyte Interaction Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, Lincoln's Inn Fields Laboratories, London WC2A 3LY, United Kingdom.
Insights
B cell activation involves B-cell receptor (BCR) microclusters and signaling, enhanced by cell spreading. The cytoskeleton plays a crucial role in coordinating these molecular events for adaptive immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- B cells are crucial for adaptive immunity, producing antibodies and memory cells via B-cell receptor (BCR) activation.
- Recent imaging studies reveal dynamic molecular and cellular events during B cell activation.
- The cytoskeleton's role in B cell activation is an emerging area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the critical role of the cytoskeleton in B cell activation.
- To discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying BCR signaling and synapse formation.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent imaging investigations.
- Analysis of molecular and cellular events in B cell activation.
- Discussion of signaling pathways and cytoskeletal involvement.
Main Results:
- BCR engagement triggers microcluster formation, acting as signaling hubs.
- Cell spreading, dependent on CD19, propagates and enhances BCR signaling.
- The immunological synapse facilitates antigen internalization and presentation to T cells.
Conclusions:
- The cytoskeleton is essential for coordinating molecular events during B cell activation.
- Understanding these processes is key to comprehending adaptive immune responses.
Abstract:
B cells contribute to protective adaptive immune responses through generation of antibodies and long-lived memory cells, following engagement of the B-cell receptor (BCR) with specific antigen. Recent imaging investigations have offered novel insights into the ensuing molecular and cellular events underlying B-cell activation. Following engagement with antigen, BCR microclusters form and act as sites of active signaling through the recruitment of intracellular signaling molecules and adaptors. Signaling through these "microsignalosomes" is propagated and enhanced through B-cell spreading in a CD19-dependent manner. Subsequently, the mature immunological synapse is formed, and functions as a platform for antigen internalization, enabling the antigen presentation to helper T cells required for maximal B-cell activation. In this review, we discuss the emerging and critical role for the cytoskeleton in the coordination and regulation of these molecular events during B-cell activation.
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