title: B Cell Immunity in Solid Organ Transplantation.
abstract: The contribution of B cells to alloimmune responses is gradually being understood in more detail. We now know that B cells can perpetuate alloimmune responses in multiple ways: (i) differentiation into antibody-producing plasma cells; (ii) sustaining long-term humoral immune memory; (iii) serving as antigen-presenting cells; (iv) organizing the formation of tertiary lymphoid organs; and (v) secreting pro- as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines. The cross-talk between B cells and T cells in the course of immune responses forms the basis of these diverse functions. In the setting of organ transplantation, focus has gradually shifted from T cells to B cells, with an increased notion that B cells are more than mere precursors of antibody-producing plasma cells. In this review, we discuss the various roles of B cells in the generation of alloimmune responses beyond antibody production, as well as possibilities to specifically interfere with B cell activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gonca E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Karahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frans H J
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Claas
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sebastiaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heidt
keywords: HLA; antigen presentation; cognate T–B interactions; donor-specific antibodies; memory B cells; rejection