title: Innate control of B cell responses.
abstract: Mature B cells generate protective immunity by undergoing immunoglobulin (Ig) class switching and somatic hypermutation, two Ig gene-diversifying processes that usually require cognate interactions with T cells that express CD40 ligand. This T cell-dependent pathway provides immunological memory but is relatively slow to occur. Thus, it must be integrated with a faster, T cell-independent pathway for B cell activation through CD40 ligand-like molecules that are released by innate immune cells in response to microbial products. Here, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the interplay between the innate immune system and B cells, particularly at the mucosal interface. We also review the role of innate signals in the regulation of Ig diversification and production.
authors.affiliation: ICREA, Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Av. Dr. Aigüader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. acerutti@imim.es
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cerutti
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Puga
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cols
mesh_terms: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin / Q000502:physiology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008024:Ligands; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D008024:Ligands; C505719:TNFSF13B protein, human; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D053300:Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13