Reciprocal regulation of polarized cytokine production by effector B and T cells.
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.
Harris
D P
DP
Trudeau Institute, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA.
Haynes
L
L
Sayles
P C
PC
Duso
D K
DK
Eaton
S M
SM
Lepak
N M
NM
Johnson
L L
LL
Swain
S L
SL
Lund
F E
FE
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
D016207:Cytokines