Influenza hemagglutinin-specific B-cell receptor (HA-specific BCR)

The influenza hemagglutinin-specific B-cell receptor (BCR) is a membrane-bound immunoglobulin expressed on the surface of B cells that specifically recognizes and binds to the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein of the influenza virus (Skehel & Wiley, 2000). HA is the primary surface antigen of influenza, responsible for viral attachment to host cell sialic acid receptors and subsequent membrane fusion (Skehel & Wiley, 2000). Upon binding HA, the BCR initiates intracellular signaling cascades that drive the activation, expansion, and maturation of B cells into plasma cells that secrete neutralizing antibodies (Kurosaki et al., 2015). These antibodies typically target the immunodominant head region or the more conserved stem region of the HA protein to prevent viral entry (Corti & Lanzavecchia, 2013). In the context of vaccinology, the HA-specific BCR is the primary target for induction of protective immunity, with current research focusing on eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) that target conserved epitopes to provide universal protection against multiple influenza strains (Erbelding et al., 2018). Understanding the selection and evolution of these receptors is critical for overcoming challenges such as antigenic drift and original antigenic sin (Lambert & Fauci, 2010).

Other names

Anti-hemagglutinin B-cell receptorHA-reactive B-cell receptorInfluenza HA-specific BCRHemagglutinin-binding B-cell receptor

Antigen-induced B-cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation into antibody-secreting plasma cells and memory B cells.