B-cell receptor (BCR) specific for Bordetella pertussis antigens (BCR (B. pertussis-specific))

The B-cell receptor (BCR) specific for Bordetella pertussis antigens is a specialized transmembrane protein complex on B lymphocytes that mediates the recognition of specific virulence factors from the bacterium responsible for whooping cough (Bordetella pertussis). These receptors typically recognize antigens such as pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), and pertactin (PRN) (CDC, 2023). Upon antigen engagement, the BCR initiates a signaling cascade through the CD79A/B heterodimer, which promotes B-cell proliferation and differentiation into memory B cells and plasma cells that secrete protective antibodies (Janeway et al., 2017). From a therapeutic perspective, these receptors are the functional targets of all pertussis vaccines, including acellular (aP) and whole-cell (wP) formulations, which aim to induce long-lived B-cell memory (Plotkin, 2018). Furthermore, the identification of high-affinity BCR sequences from convalescent individuals has facilitated the engineering of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies designed to neutralize pertussis toxin in clinical settings (Nguyen et al., 2020). A significant challenge in targeting these receptors is the phenomenon of waning immunity, particularly with acellular vaccines, which necessitates a deeper understanding of BCR repertoire evolution and memory maintenance (Klein et al., 2012).

Other names

Pertussis-specific B-cell receptorAnti-pertussis B-cell receptorBordetella pertussis antigen-specific BCRB. pertussis-specific BCR

Vaccines act as antigenic stimulants that bind to and activate these receptors to induce protective immunity and memory; therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are derived from or designed to mimic the binding properties of these receptors to neutralize bacterial toxins.