B cells are efficient antigen-presenting cells (APCs), relying on antigen uptake through the B cell receptor (BCR). The mechanism of antigen recognition remains a topic of debate; while the prevalent view holds that antigens need to be multivalent for BCR activation, monovalent antigens can also initiate B cell responses. In this review, we describe the steps required for antigen uptake, proces...

Infection with hepatitis B virus can lead to serious long-term complications including chronic hepatitis B virus infection leading to hepatocellular carcinoma, liver failure, and death. We report a case of prolonged hepatitis B antigenemia after routine vaccination with Engerix B. A positive hepatitis B surface antigen was found when the individual donated blood 18 days after vaccination. This ...

Background: Neisseria meningitidis, a life-threatening human pathogen with the potential to cause large epidemics, can be isolated from the nasopharynx of 5–15% of adults. The aim of the current study was to evaluate biophysical and biochemical properties and immunological aspects of chimeric acyl-carrier protein-macrophage infectivity potentiator protein-type IV pilus biogenesis protein ...

To examine the role of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) expression on murine B cells as it pertains to their function in T call activation, we carried out antigen-presentation assays in tissue culture wells coated with a purified, secreted form of the murine intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). We observed a significant decrease in the concentration of antigen required to...

Serological markers of hepatitis A and B virus infection were determined by radioimmunoassay in 162 university students. Antibody to hepatitis B e antigen (anti-HBe) was demonstrated in 11 of 15 students positive for both antibody to hepatitis B e antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). The presence of anti-HBc alone seemed to denote previous hepatitis B virus infec...

To examine the role of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) expression on murine B cells as it pertains to their function in T cell activation, we carried out antigen-presentation assays in tissue culture wells coated with a purified, secreted form of the murine intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). We observed a significant decrease in the concentration of antigen required to...