title: Hypoxia and B cells.
abstract: The ability of cells to sense and adapt to changes in oxygen is mediated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Immune cells function in physiologically complex and varying environments whereby oxygen, pH, nutrients, metabolites and cytokines are continuously fluctuating. HIF is well known to play an important role in coordinating the adaptation and function of both innate immune cells and T cells in these complex environments. This review summarises recent discoveries concerning how hypoxia and HIF control B cell behaviour, and regulate antibody quality and decisions concerning tolerance. Hypoxia and HIF activation may provide an important context; coordinating metabolism with variable demands for quiescence, rapid proliferation, and differentiation. Understanding when and how HIF is activated during B cell development and response is important as drugs targeting HIF could influence antibody responses, providing novel therapeutic opportunities for vaccine adjuvants and in treating autoimmunity.
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom. Electronic address: nb470@cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Burrows
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Regius@medschl.cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Patrick Henry
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Maxwell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Adaptive immunity; B cells; Hypoxia; Metabolism; Tolerance