Elucidating the role of autoreactive T cells and B cells in autoimmune hepatitis
Yoshiaki Yasumizu, David A. Hafler
Yoshiaki Yasumizu, David A. Hafler
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Elucidating the role of autoreactive T cells and B cells in autoimmune hepatitis

Abstract

How are autoreactive T cells induced and regulated in patients with autoimmune disease? This question lies at the core of understanding autoimmune disease pathologies, yet it has remained elusive due to host variability and the complexity of the immune system. In this issue of the JCI, Kramer and colleagues used autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) as a model to explore the maintenance of autoreactive CD4+ T cells specific to O-phosphoseryl-tRNA:selenocysteine tRNA synthase (SepSecS). The findings provide insight into the interaction between T cells and B cells in AIH pathogenesis that may reflect a shared mechanism among other autoimmune diseases.

Authors

Yoshiaki Yasumizu, David A. Hafler

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Figure 1

B cells orchestrate autoreactive CD4+ T cells in AIH.

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B cells orchestrate autoreactive CD4+ T cells in AIH. SepSecS-specific B...
SepSecS-specific B cells present antigens to autoreactive CD4+ T cells via MHC class II molecules. Liver-infiltrating SepSecS-specific CD4+ T cells secrete IL-10, IL-4, and IFN-γ. The pathways may have a central role in the pathogenesis of AIH by driving the generation of pathogenic T cells that contribute to liver tissue damage.