B cell receptor specific for Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide epitopes (BCR-CPS)

The B cell receptor (BCR) specific for Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide epitopes is a membrane-bound immunoglobulin that plays a critical role in the adaptive immune response against pneumococcal infections (Janeway et al., Immunobiology, 2001). Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major human pathogen responsible for pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia, with its polysaccharide capsule serving as its primary virulence factor by inhibiting phagocytosis (Kadioglu et al., Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2008). When these specific BCRs encounter capsular polysaccharides, they initiate signaling pathways that lead to B cell activation and the production of protective antibodies (Pollard et al., Nature Reviews Immunology, 2009). Therapeutic interventions, primarily in the form of vaccines, target these receptors to induce long-lasting immunity. Polysaccharide vaccines (PPSV23) directly stimulate these BCRs in a T-cell-independent manner, while conjugate vaccines (PCV) link the polysaccharides to carrier proteins to engage T-cell help, enhancing the memory response (CDC, 2023). Monitoring the interaction between these receptors and vaccine antigens is essential for evaluating vaccine efficacy and ensuring broad protection against the numerous serotypes of the bacterium (Musher et al., Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2013).

Other names

Pneumococcal polysaccharide-specific B cell receptorAnti-pneumococcal BCRStreptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide-specific immunoglobulinAnti-CPS BCR

Vaccine-derived capsular polysaccharides bind to the specific B cell receptor, triggering signal transduction that leads to B cell proliferation and differentiation into antibody-secreting plasma cells and memory B cells.