MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London
Science for Health
Pavel Tolar group
Activation of immune receptors
Antibodies are an integral part of human immunity and their induction by vaccines has proven successful in prevention of many infectious diseases. However, some of the most dangerous pathogens of today’s world, such as HIV, influenza and malaria, evade antibody responses, both natural and vaccine-induced. A better understanding of the mechanisms by which these pathogens trigger antibody responses will be necessary for the development of more effective vaccines.
We focus on the B-cell antigen receptor, the primary receptor that controls the activation of B lymphocytes and the specificity of the antibody response. Binding of pathogens to B-cell antigen receptors leads to transduction of activation signals to B-lymphocytes, eventually leading to secretion of pathogen-specific antibodies.
The B-cell receptor
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Schematic structure of the B-cell receptor composed of the membrane immunoglobulin (Ig) and the Ig-αβ heterodimer. Signaling is initiated by the cytoplasmic enzymes Lyn and Syk.
Postdoctoral and PhD positions are available. Please contact Pavel Tolar.
Research projects
Selected publications
- Tolar, P; Hanna, J; Krueger, PD and Pierce, SK (2009)
The constant region of the membrane immunoglobulin mediates B cell-receptor clustering and signaling in response to membrane antigens.
Immunity 30, 44-55 PubMed abstract - Tolar, P; Sohn, HW and Pierce, SK (2008)
Viewing the antigen-induced initiation of B-cell activation in living cells.
Immunological Reviews 221, 64-76 PubMed abstract - Tolar, P; Sohn, HW and Pierce, SK (2005)
The initiation of antigen-induced B cell antigen receptor signaling viewed in living cells by fluorescence resonance energy transfer.
Nature Immunology 6, 1168-1176 PubMed abstract
Our research themes
Click links to view others working on these themes
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