title: B cells as effectors and regulators of autoimmunity.
abstract: A classic understanding of the interplay between B and T cell components of the immune system that drive autoimmunity, where B cells provide an effector function, is represented by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune condition characterised by the production of auto-antibodies. In SLE, CD4+T cells provide cognate help to self-reactive B cells, which in turn produce pathogenic auto-antibodies (1). Thus, B cells act as effectors by producing auto-antibody aided by T cell help such that B and T cell interactions are unidirectional. However, this paradigm of B and T cell interactions is challenged by new clinical data demonstrating that B cell depletion is effective for T cell mediated autoimmune diseases including type I diabetes mellitus (T1D) (2), rheumatoid arthritis (3), and multiple sclerosis (4). These clinical data indicate a model whereby B cells can influence the developing autoimmune T cell response, and therefore act as effectors, in ways that extend beyond the production of autoantibody (5). In this review by largely focusing on type I diabetes we will develop a hypothesis that bi-directional B and T interactions control the course of autoimmunity.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Immunology and Inflammation, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mariño
authors.forename: Shane T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Grey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D060151:B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D051379:Mice; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D016207:Cytokines; D000939:Epitopes