Innate responses of B cells.
In this review, we describe the non-antibody-mediated functions of B cells within the immune system. In addition to antibody production, B cells also present antigen to T cells, programme T cell differentiation and regulate effector T cell responses and much of this is mediated by the cytokines they make. We focus on the potential of B cells to perform these functions simply as a result of activation via 'innate' receptors (e.g. Toll-like receptors) and often independently of BCR ligation. We feel an appreciation of these broad and often antigen-nonspecific functions is important at a time when there is an increasing use of B cell depletion as a therapy for autoimmune disease.
Gray
David
D
Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Labs, Edinburgh, UK. d.gray@ed.ac.uk
Gray
Mohini
M
Barr
Tom
T
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D015322:Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion / Q000009:adverse effects; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors