title: B cell immunity in allergic nasal mucosa induces T helper 2 cell differentiation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathogenesis of allergic diseases is to be further understood. Recent studies indicate that B cells are involved in the immune regulation. The present study aimed to investigate the role of B cells in the initiation of skewed T helper (Th)2 polarization.
  
  
  METHODS
  The surgically removed nasal mucosal specimens from 24 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 22 patients with non-AR (nAR) were collected. B cells isolated from the AR nasal mucosa were characterized. The effect of B cells on inducing naïve CD4+ T cells to differentiate into Th2 cells was evaluated with a cell culture model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abundant B cells were detected in the nasal mucosa of patients with AR, which also expressed high levels of T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain (TIM)4 and costimulatory molecules. High levels of Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) were detected in the AR nasal mucosa. Expression of TIM4 could be induced in naïve B cells in the presence of SEB in culture. TIM4+ B cells could induce naïve CD4+ T cells to differentiate into Th2 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TIM4+ B cells from AR nasal mucosa can induce skewed Th2 polarization. It may be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of AR. B cells plays an important role in the initiation of Th2 polarization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • High frequency of B cells exists in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis • These B cells express high levels of TIM4 • TIM4+ B cells can initiate the skewed Th2 polarization.
authors.affiliation: Shenzhen ENT Institute, Shenzheng, Guangzhou, China. qiuqi66858@163.com
authors.forename: Shuqi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Xiaobei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Xiaorui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Jianxiong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Han
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Ping-Chang
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D034622:RNA Interference; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D018941:Antigens, CD19; D004768:Enterotoxins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020733:RNA, Small Cytoplasmic; C512411:TIMD4 protein, human; C031818:enterotoxin B, staphylococcal