B lymphocytes are required for development and treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Recent studies have revealed that B cells serve extraordinarily diverse functions within the immune system in addition to antibody production. These functions contribute to autoimmunity. They initiate the development of lymphoid architecture and regulate dendritic and T-cell function through cytokine production. Receptor editing is also essential to prevent autoimmunity. Both abnormalities in the distribution of B-cell subsets and the benefits of ablative B-cell therapy of autoimmune states confirm their importance. Results from transgenic models have demonstrated that the sensitivity of B cells to antigen receptor cross-linking correlates to autoimmunity, with particular reference to negative signaling by CD5 and CD22. These mechanisms maintain tolerance by recruiting src-homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-1. These findings open new prospects for immunotherapy of autoimmune diseases.
Youinou
Pierre
P
Laboratory of Immunology, Brest University Medical School Hospital, BP824, F29609 Brest Cedex, France. youinou@univ-brest.fr
Jamin
Christophe
C
Pers
Jacques-Olivier
JO
Berthou
Christian
C
Saraux
Alain
A
Renaudineau
Yves
Y
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018956:CD5 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D037102:Lectins / Q000276:immunology; D051918:Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 2; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; C497867:CD22 protein, human; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D037102:Lectins; D051918:Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 2