CD20+ B cells: the other tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.
Tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) T cells are strongly associated with patient survival in a wide variety of human cancers. Less is known about tumor-infiltrating CD20(+) B cells, which often colocalize with T cells, sometimes forming organized lymphoid structures. In autoimmunity and organ transplantation, T cells and B cells collaborate to generate potent, unrelenting immune responses that can result in extensive tissue damage and organ rejection. In these settings, B cells enhance T cell responses by producing Abs, stimulatory cytokines, and chemokines, serving as local APCs, and organizing the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures that sustain long-term immunity. Thus, B cells are an important component of immunological circuits associated with persistent, rampant tissue destruction. Engagement of tumor-reactive B cells may be an important condition for generating potent, long-term T cell responses against cancer.
Trev and Joyce Deeley Research Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. bnelson@bccancer.bc.ca
Brad H
BH
Nelson
D000818:Animals; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D018951:Antigens, CD20