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The lung is an important entry site for pathogens; its exposure to antigens results in systemic as well as local IgA and IgG antibodies. Here we show that intranasal administration of virus-like particles (VLPs) results in splenic B-cell responses with strong local germinal-center formation. Surprisingly, VLPs were not transported from the lung to the spleen in a free form but by B cells. The interaction between VLPs and B cells was initiated in the lung and occurred independently of complement receptor 2 and Fcγ receptors, but was dependent upon B-cell receptors. Thus, B cells passing through the lungs bind VLPs via their B-cell receptors and deliver them to local B cells within the splenic B-cell follicle. This process is fundamentally different from delivery of blood or lymph borne particulate antigens, which are transported into B cell follicles by binding to complement receptors on B cells.

Original publication

DOI

10.1073/pnas.1206970109

Type

Journal article

Journal

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Publication Date

11/12/2012

Volume

109

Pages

20566 - 20571

Keywords

Administration, Intranasal, Adoptive Transfer, Animals, Antibodies, Viral, Antigens, Viral, B-Lymphocytes, Cell Movement, Female, Immunoglobulin G, Lung, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell, Receptors, Complement 3d, Receptors, IgG, Spleen, Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle