Premium
The epigenetic landscape of B lymphocyte tolerance to self
Author(s) -
Zouali Moncef
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.05.004
Subject(s) - epigenetics , biology , immunology , immune tolerance , transcription factor , immune system , self tolerance , lymphocyte , antigen , gene , epigenesis , signal transduction , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , genetics , dna methylation , autoimmunity
Despite frequent exposures to a variety of potential triggers, including antigens produced by pathogens or commensal microbiota, B‐lymphocytes are able to mount highly protective responses to a variety of threats, while remaining tolerant to self‐components. A number of cytokines, signaling pathways and transcription factors have been characterized to elucidate the mechanisms underlying B cell tolerance to self. It is, however, unclear how the signals received by B‐lymphocytes are converted into complex and sustained patterns of gene expression that can allow production of protective antibodies and maintain immune tolerance to self‐components. Mounting evidence now suggests an important role for epigenetic mechanisms in modulating and transmitting signals for B lymphocyte tolerization to self‐antigens. It is likely that a better insight into epigenetic regulation of B cell tolerance will lead to development of gene‐specific therapeutic approaches that optimize host defense mechanisms to exogenous threats, while preventing development and/or progression of autoimmune inflammatory diseases.