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Activated B cells in autoimmune diseases: the case for a regulatory role

Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology volume 4, pages 657–666 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

B lymphocytes contribute to immunity through organogenesis of secondary lymphoid organs, presentation of antigen to T cells, production of antibodies, and secretion of cytokines. Their roles in autoimmune diseases are complex. Clinical trials have shown that depleting B cells can significantly ameliorate such diseases, underlining the contributions of B cells to pathogenesis. Conversely, B-cell depletion can lead to exacerbation of symptoms in some patients. In mice, B cells can offer protection from chronic autoimmune pathologies. It is important to understand the mechanisms responsible for the distinct roles of B cells in autoimmune diseases, and investigation of these processes could highlight new therapeutic strategies. Here, we review recent progress in our understanding of the suppressive functions of activated B cells in mice, as well as the promising potential of B cells for use as cell-based therapy for experimental autoimmune diseases, and, finally, discuss the possibility of translating this cellular approach to treat human autoimmune diseases.

Key Points

  • B cells can have not only pathogenic but also protective roles in human autoimmune diseases

  • Activated B cells can suppress autoimmune diseases in mice

  • Interleukin-10 production by B cells is an important mediator of the suppressive functions of B cells

  • B cells can suppress autoimmune diseases by interacting with multiple immune mechanisms

  • B cells are interesting candidates for cell-based therapy of autoimmune diseases

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Figure 1: Hypothetical B-cell-based therapies for patients with autoimmune diseases.
Figure 2: The dual role of B cells in autoimmune diseases.

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Acknowledgements

Work in the authors' laboratories is supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB-650), the Association pour la Recherche sur la Sclerose en Plaques (ARSEP), Hertie Stiftung (S Fillatreau), the UK Medical Research Council, The Wellcome Trust, and the UK Multiple Sclerosis Society (SM Anderton). SM Anderton is a Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellow and holds a Research Councils UK Fellowship in translational medicine.

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  1. SM Anderton is Professor of Therapeutic Immunology at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK,

    Stephen M Anderton

  2. S Fillatreau is leader of the Immune Regulation Research Group at Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ) in Berlin, Germany.,

    Simon Fillatreau

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Correspondence to Simon Fillatreau.

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Anderton, S., Fillatreau, S. Activated B cells in autoimmune diseases: the case for a regulatory role. Nat Rev Rheumatol 4, 657–666 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncprheum0950

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