title: Reciprocal regulation of polarized cytokine production by effector B and T cells.
abstract: Although B cells produce cytokines it is not known whether B cells can differentiate into effector subsets that secrete polarized arrays of cytokines. We have identified two populations of "effector" B cells (Be1 and Be2) that produce distinct patterns of cytokines depending on the cytokine environment in which the cells were stimulated during their primary encounter with antigen and T cells. These effector B cell subsets subsequently regulate the differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells to TH1 and TH2 cells through production of polarizing cytokines such as interleukin 4 and interferon gamma. In addition, Be1 and Be2 cells could be identified in animals that were infected with pathogens that preferentially induce a Type 1 and Type 2 immune response. Together these results suggest that, in addition to their well defined role in antibody production, B cells may regulate immune responses to infectious pathogens through their production of cytokines.
authors: Trudeau Institute, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA.
authors: D P
authors: DP
authors: Harris
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Haynes
authors: P C
authors: PC
authors: Sayles
authors: D K
authors: DK
authors: Duso
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Eaton
authors: N M
authors: NM
authors: Lepak
authors: L L
authors: LL
authors: Johnson
authors: S L
authors: SL
authors: Swain
authors: F E
authors: FE
authors: Lund
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009351:Nematospiroides dubius; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines