title: Regulatory B cells in autoimmune diseases.
abstract: B cells are generally considered to be positive regulators of the immune response because of their capability to produce antibodies, including autoantibodies. The production of antibodies facilitates optimal CD4(+) T-cell activation because B cells serve as antigen-presenting cells and exert other modulatory functions in immune responses. However, certain B cells can also negatively regulate the immune response by producing regulatory cytokines and directly interacting with pathogenic T cells via cell-to-cell contact. These types of B cells are defined as regulatory B (Breg) cells. The regulatory function of Breg cells has been demonstrated in mouse models of inflammation, cancer, transplantation, and particularly in autoimmunity. In this review, we focus on the recent advances that lead to the understanding of the development and function of Breg cells and the implications of B cells in human autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Center for Infection and Immunology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rui
authors.forename: Shengjun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Liwei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10