Abstract

The B-cell antigen receptor acts during B-cell activation both to initiate signalling cascades and to transport antigen into the cell for subsequent processing and presentation. Recent evidence indicates that membrane microdomains, termed lipid rafts, have a role in B-cell activation as platforms for B-cell receptor (BCR) signalling and might also act in antigen trafficking. Lipid rafts might facilitate the regulation of the BCR during B-cell development by B-cell co-receptors, and during viral infection. So, lipid rafts seem to be an important new piece of the B-cell signalling puzzle.

Author affiliations

1. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Twinbrook II, 12441 Parklawn Drive, Room 200B, MSC 8180, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA.
   Email: spierce@nih.gov