The 'short'history of regulatory B cells

C Mauri, MR Ehrenstein - Trends in immunology, 2008 - cell.com
C Mauri, MR Ehrenstein
Trends in immunology, 2008cell.com
The maintenance of tolerance is the sine qua non of a sophisticated regulatory apparatus to
prevent or dampen overzealous immune responses. In addition to the ability of B cells to
prime and activate the immune system, B cells with regulatory function (Bregs) have been
identified in experimental models of autoimmunity, infections, and cancer, supporting the
notion that, similar to regulatory T cells (Tregs), Breg-mediated suppression is an important
means for the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. This regulatory function appears to be …
The maintenance of tolerance is the sine qua non of a sophisticated regulatory apparatus to prevent or dampen overzealous immune responses. In addition to the ability of B cells to prime and activate the immune system, B cells with regulatory function (Bregs) have been identified in experimental models of autoimmunity, infections, and cancer, supporting the notion that, similar to regulatory T cells (Tregs), Breg-mediated suppression is an important means for the maintenance of peripheral tolerance. This regulatory function appears to be directly mediated by the production of IL-10 and/or TGFβ and by the ability of B cells to interact with pathogenic T cells to inhibit harmful immune responses. The identification of their existence is of great relevance to the understanding of autoimmune diseases and to the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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