B-cell receptor specific for Enterovirus A71 capsid epitopes (EV-A71-specific BCR)

The B-cell receptor (BCR) specific for Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) capsid epitopes is a specialized transmembrane protein complex expressed on the surface of B lymphocytes. It consists of a membrane-bound immunoglobulin molecule associated with Ig-alpha and Ig-beta signaling subunits. The primary role of this receptor is to recognize and bind specific antigenic determinants, or epitopes, on the EV-A71 viral capsid, most notably within the VP1, VP2, and VP3 proteins (PubMed: 22156524). Upon binding, the BCR triggers a signaling cascade that leads to B cell activation, clonal expansion, and the eventual secretion of high-affinity neutralizing antibodies (PubMed: 24571751). This receptor is a critical component of the adaptive immune system's defense against Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) and associated neurological complications caused by EV-A71 infection. In therapeutic development, the EV-A71-specific BCR is the functional target of inactivated and recombinant vaccines, which are designed to stimulate the production of protective antibodies (PubMed: 24571752). Furthermore, the study of these receptors informs the development of passive immunization strategies using monoclonal antibodies derived from recovered patients.

Other names

Enterovirus A71-specific B-cell receptorEV-A71-specific BCRAnti-EV-A71 B-cell receptor

Vaccines containing inactivated EV-A71 or recombinant capsid proteins bind to the BCR, triggering receptor clustering and activation of the B-cell signaling apparatus. This leads to the expansion of antigen-specific B-cell clones and their differentiation into plasma cells that produce neutralizing antibodies, which prevent viral attachment and entry into host cells (PubMed: 24571751, PubMed: 24571752).