Clinical implications of basic science discoveries: janus resurrected--two faces of B cell and plasma cell biology.
B cells play a complex role in the immune response. In addition to giving rise to plasma cells (PCs) and promoting T cell responses via antigen presentation, they perform immunoregulatory functions. This knowledge has created concerns regarding nonspecific B cell depletional therapy because of the potential to paradoxically augment immune responses. Recent studies now indicate that PCs have immune functions beyond immunoglobulin synthesis. Evidence for a new role for PCs as potent regulatory cells (via IL-10 and IL-35 production) is discussed including the implications for PC-targeted therapies currently being developed for clinical transplantation.
Division of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH.
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Woodle
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Rothstein
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D011379:Prognosis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal
B cell biology; cellular biology; editorial/personal viewpoint; immune regulation; immunobiology; immunosuppression/immune modualtion; lymphocyte biology; plasma cells