B cells responses and cytokine production are regulated by their immune microenvironment.
The adaptive immune system consists of two types of lymphocytes: T and B cells. These two lymphocytes originate from a common precursor, yet are fundamentally different with B cells mediating humoral immunity while T cells mediate cell mediated immunity. In cytokine production, naïve T cells produce multiple cytokines upon activation while naïve activated B cells do not. B cells are capable of producing cytokines, but their cytokine production depends on their differentiation state and activation conditions. Hence, unlike T cells that can produce a large amount of cytokines upon activation, B cells require specific differentiation and activation conditions to produce cytokines. Many cytokines act on B cells as well. Here, we discuss several cytokines and their effects on B cells including: Interleukins, IL-7, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and Interferons, IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-γ. These cytokines play important roles in the development, survival, differentiation and/or proliferation of B cells. Certain chemokines also play important roles in B cell function, namely antibody production. As an example, we discuss CCL28, a chemokine that directs the migration of plasma cells to mucosal sites. We conclude with a brief overview of B cells as cytokine producers and their likely functional consequences on the immune response.
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
Monica I
MI
Vazquez
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
Jovani
J
Catalan-Dibene
Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA. Electronic address: azlotnik@uci.edu.
Albert
A
Zlotnik
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation
D016207:Cytokines
B cells; Chemokines; Cytokines; Interferon; Interleukins