The role of the CD19/CD21 complex in B cell processing and presentation of complement-tagged antigens

The CD19/CD21 complex is an essential B cell coreceptor that functions synergistically to enhance signaling through the B cell Ag receptor in response to T cell-dependent, complement-tagged Ags. In this study, we use a recombinant protein containing three tandemly arranged copies of Od and the Ag hen egg lysozyme, shown to be a highly effective immunogen in vivo, to evaluate the role of the CD19/CD21 complex in Ag processing in B cells. Evidence is provided that coengagement of the CD19/CD21 complex results in more rapid and efficient production of antigenic peptide/class II complexes as compared with B cell Ag receptor-mediated processing alone. The CD19/CD21 complex does not itself target complement-tagged Ags for processing, but rather appears to influence B cell Ag processing through its signaling function. The ability of the CD19/CD21 complex to augment processing may be an important element of the mechanism by which the CD19/CD21 complex functions to promote B cell responses to T cell-dependent complement-tagged Ags in vivo.