B Cell response (T

independent)
Session 16-2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIJulGXWm6Q
B-cell response (T independent)
• T independent antigens
• T1 antigen
• T2 antigen
• Not all antibody-producing responses require the participation of T cells, and certain subsets of B cells have
evolved mechanisms so as to respond with antibody production to particular classes of antigens, without T-
cell help
• Type 1 T-independent (TI-1) antigens bind to B cells through both Ig and innate
immune receptors. For example, LPS from Gram negative organisms binds to B cells
via both mIg and TLR4, resulting in signaling from both receptors.
• mitogenic (induce proliferation) for most B cells at high concentrations, as a result of their ability
to bind to pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) on the surface of the B cell.
• However, at lower concentrations they activate only those B cells that bind antigen with their Ig
receptors
• Polyclonal activation (non-specific amplification)
• Type 2 T-independent (TI-2) antigens are frequently bound by C3d complement
components and cross-link both mIg and CD21 receptors on B cells.
• Cross-linking of between 12 and 16 Ig receptors has been shown to be sufficient to deliver an
activating signal.
• repetitive antigens, such as bacterial capsular polysaccharides, polymeric flagellin
• These antigens are not inherently mitogenic.
• Th eir capacity to activate B cells in the absence of T-cell help results from their ability to present antigenic
determinants in a fl exible and remarkably multivalent array, which causes extensive cross-linking of the BCR.
• Monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells have been shown to facilitate B-cell responses to TI-2 antigens