Premium
Peripheral immature B cells: modulators of autoimmunity
Author(s) -
Lee Jisoo,
Sim JiHyun,
Kim InJe
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/1756-185x.12432
Subject(s) - autoimmunity , immunology , immune system , effector , antigen , peripheral tolerance , antibody , b cell , b 1 cell , pathogenesis , biology , t cell , medicine , antigen presenting cell , microbiology and biotechnology
B cells play an essential role in humoral immunity by producing antigen‐specific antibodies. However, B cells also participate in cellular immune responses by presenting antigens, providing costimulation, and producing cytokines to activate and expand effectors and memory T cell populations. Recent identification of antibody‐independent functions of B cells has reawakened interest in the many roles of B cells in normal immune responses as well as in autoimmune diseases. B cells interact with other immunocompetent cells during a tightly regulated immune activation process, acting as both effector and regulator. If this balance between effector and regulatory B cell functions is disrupted, harmful effects of immune activation such as autoimmunity can occur. In this review, we will discuss the role of human peripheral immature B cells in normal immune responses as a modulator of autoimmunity. We will also discuss abnormalities of these cells in pathogenesis of systemic autoimmunity with particular focus on systemic lupus erythematosus pathogenesis.