Creative Biolabs offers the unparalleled mass sequencing service to analyze the B-cell receptor (BCR) repertoires of human or mice. According to the Magic™ platform which mainly based on next generation sequencing (NGS) technique, our scientists are able to identify the vast majority of BCR V(D)JC sequences contained in a single sample.

Background

BCR is an indispensable component of a potent adaptive immune system, which is fundamentally reliant upon its diverse repertoire. BCR is generally defined as a transmembrane receptor located on the B-cell surface or a kind of membrane-bound antibody form. BCRs are assembled during the B-cell development and went through somatic recombination of three gene segments of the heavy chain locus (V, D, J) and two gene segments of the light chain locus (V, J) to diversify variable region gene. According to the rearrangement mechanism, there are no the same BCRs between two different B-cells, which enable the repertoire of BCRs to become a valuable tool for the investigation of the immune system. In addition, through exposure to endogenous host factors and exogenous invaders, the BCR repertoire is continuously shaped and changed which establishes a series of potential associations with infections or diseases. In this way, high-throughput sequencing is a very useful method to investigate and analyze the change of BCR repertoire in some specific physiological processes, which may include autoimmune and tumor diseases, and then be helpful to discover new therapeutic agents, such as specific antibodies for interested targets and effective vaccines.

Fig.1 BCR Repertoire Analysis.^{1, 3}

Magic™ BCR Repertoire Sequencing Service

Creative Biolabs has established the high-throughput Magic™ platform for large-scale sequencing services. To achieve immune repertoire sequencing (IR-seq), RNA from whole blood or B cells is the required template for the amplification of complementary determining region (CDR), and then the Magic™ platform can be used to provide one-stop service including high-throughput sequencing and data analysis. Through our Magic™ IR-seq platform, both the heavy chain and the light chain CDR 3 regions of either human or mice can be 100% covered and accurately sequenced, the constant regions from the two species are also captured and sequenced with enough length to identify the class information. In this way, our customers can finally obtain a comprehensive BCR repertoire involving both the hypermutation and isotype data from this sequencing service.

Features of Magic™ platform for repertoire analysis

• Comprehensive BCR repertoire from RNA of either human or mice
• Specific capture primers
• High fidelity amplification method
• Advanced high-throughput sequencing platform

With years of research and development experience in the field of immunology, Creative Biolabs has owned a group of scientists who have the distinguished understanding of the adaptive immune system. Through the one-stop BCR repertoires analysis service, our seasoned scientists are pleased to share expertise and experience with our global clients and facilitate their meaningful immune repertoire researches.

Learn more about Magic™ BCR repertoire analysis services:

• Magic™ Unbiased BCR Repertoire Profiling
• Magic™ Single-cell BCR Profiling
• Magic™ Comprehensive MicroRNA Profiling of B Cells

BCR repertoire analysis

• Identification of Specific V and J Genes and the Assessment of Clonality and Diversity by BCR Repertoire Analysis

Fig.2 BCR repertoire construction and analysis.^{2, 3}

The study reveals immune heterogeneity between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using multi-omics data, particularly focusing on T-cell receptor (TCR) and B-cell receptor (BCR) repertoires. BCR repertoire analysis, a critical component of this research, allows for the identification of specific V and J genes and the assessment of clonality and diversity, providing insights into the distinct immune responses in SLE and RA. The results show significant differences in CDR3 amino acid sequence diversity, TRBV, TRBJ, IGHV, and IGHJ gene usage between SLE, RA, and healthy controls. These findings contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of these autoimmune diseases, suggesting potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. The application of BCR repertoire analysis in this study underscores its importance in deciphering the complex immune landscapes of autoimmune diseases, potentially guiding the development of personalized treatments.

FAQ

1. What is BCR repertoire analysis and why is it important in immunology research?

   BCR repertoire analysis involves the sequencing and study of B-cell receptor (BCR) diversity within an organism's immune system. It provides detailed insights into the variety of antibodies produced by B cells, which is crucial for understanding immune responses, disease mechanisms, and the development of targeted therapies. This analysis is particularly important in autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infectious disease research.

2. How is BCR repertoire analysis performed?

   BCR repertoire analysis is typically performed using high-throughput sequencing techniques, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS). This process involves isolating B cells, extracting RNA or DNA, amplifying the BCR regions (usually the V, D, and J segments), and then sequencing these regions to identify the different BCR sequences. Bioinformatics tools are then used to analyze the diversity and clonality of the BCR repertoire.

3. What are the key applications of BCR repertoire analysis in clinical research?

   BCR repertoire analysis has several critical applications in tracking disease progression, monitoring immune responses to vaccines, identifying biomarkers for diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders, and evaluating the effectiveness of immunotherapies. It is also used in understanding the mechanisms of chronic infections and developing new therapeutic strategies.

4. How does BCR repertoire analysis contribute to the development of personalized medicine?

   BCR repertoire analysis enables the detailed characterization of an individual's immune response by identifying unique BCR sequences. This information can be used to tailor treatments to the individual's specific immune profile, leading to more effective and personalized therapeutic interventions. It is particularly valuable in cancer immunotherapy, where patient-specific BCR profiles guide the selection of targeted treatments.

5. What are the challenges associated with BCR repertoire analysis?

   One of the main challenges of BCR Repertoire Analysis is the sheer complexity and diversity of the BCR repertoire, which requires advanced bioinformatics tools to accurately analyze and interpret. Additionally, the need for high-quality samples and the technical difficulties in isolating and sequencing BCRs can pose significant challenges. Data interpretation also requires a deep understanding of immunology and computational biology.

6. How does BCR repertoire analysis differ from TCR Repertoire Analysis?

   While both BCR and TCR repertoire analysis focus on understanding the diversity of immune receptors, BCR repertoire analysis studies the antibodies produced by B cells, whereas TCR repertoire analysis focuses on the receptors on T cells. BCRs are involved in recognizing antigens directly, leading to antibody production, while TCRs recognize antigens presented by other cells, leading to a broader immune response.

7. What role does BCR repertoire analysis play in vaccine development?

   BCR repertoire analysis helps researchers understand how the immune system responds to different antigens introduced by vaccines. By analyzing the diversity and specificity of BCRs generated in response to a vaccine, researchers can assess the vaccine's effectiveness and optimize its formulation to induce a strong, long-lasting immune response.

8. How does BCR repertoire analysis help in monitoring cancer immunotherapy?

   In cancer immunotherapy, BCR repertoire analysis is used to monitor the changes in a patient's immune response over time. By tracking the clonality and diversity of BCRs, researchers can evaluate how well the immune system is targeting cancer cells, identify potential resistance mechanisms, and adjust treatment strategies accordingly. This analysis is particularly useful in therapies like CAR-T cell therapy.

Resources

Use the resources in our library to help you understand your options and make critical decisions for your study.

All listed services and products are For Research Use Only. Do Not use in any diagnostic or therapeutic applications.