B cells play a pivotal role in the humoral immune response through the secretion of highly diverse and specific antibodies. Besides this well-known function, able to guarantee protection from invading pathogens, B cells contribute to cellular immunity as antigen-presenting cells, or as effectors cells able to enhance or regulate the immune response. The aim of this Research Topic is to focus on discussing the lesser-known functions of B cells.
Thymic B cells have been shown to express tissue-restricted antigens and act as antigen-presenting cells. It has been proposed that they aid the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes and play a key role in tolerance. Moreover, another subpopulation of B cells, characterized by CD21low and CD11c+ have been proposed to play a role in antigen presentation. This population is increased in patients affected by common variable immunodeficiency, rheumatoid arthritis, and infectious diseases. However, their role is still debated. Other unconventional roles of B cells include 1) their function in bone formation, where B cells have been shown to produce cytokines impacting osteoclasts, 2) their function in the central nervous system where they have been shown to exert innate-like functions and promote oligodendrocytes proliferation, 3) the immunoregulatory role of B-cell or Bregs, 4) their role in cancer, particularly through the anti-tumor antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic (ADCC) reactions, and 5) the ambivalent role of B cells in atherosclerosis.
A deeper knowledge of the multifaceted functions of B cells as enhancers and regulators of immunity might shed light on the pathogenesis of, not only immune-mediated processes but also metabolic and tumoral diseases, optimizing B cell targeting therapies in these different clinical settings. The aim of this Research Topic is to collect the most recent data on the multiple roles of B cells beyond the classical humoral immune response. We welcome authors to submit Original Research, Review Perspective, Mini-review, articles focusing on:
1. B cells as antigen-presenting cells
2. B cells as supportive cell, e.g. in bone formation or in the CNS
3. Immunoregulatory roles of B cells
4. B cells in tumors
5. Ambivalent roles of B cells in atherosclerosis
B cells play a pivotal role in the humoral immune response through the secretion of highly diverse and specific antibodies. Besides this well-known function, able to guarantee protection from invading pathogens, B cells contribute to cellular immunity as antigen-presenting cells, or as effectors cells able to enhance or regulate the immune response. The aim of this Research Topic is to focus on discussing the lesser-known functions of B cells.
Thymic B cells have been shown to express tissue-restricted antigens and act as antigen-presenting cells. It has been proposed that they aid the negative selection of autoreactive thymocytes and play a key role in tolerance. Moreover, another subpopulation of B cells, characterized by CD21low and CD11c+ have been proposed to play a role in antigen presentation. This population is increased in patients affected by common variable immunodeficiency, rheumatoid arthritis, and infectious diseases. However, their role is still debated. Other unconventional roles of B cells include 1) their function in bone formation, where B cells have been shown to produce cytokines impacting osteoclasts, 2) their function in the central nervous system where they have been shown to exert innate-like functions and promote oligodendrocytes proliferation, 3) the immunoregulatory role of B-cell or Bregs, 4) their role in cancer, particularly through the anti-tumor antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxic (ADCC) reactions, and 5) the ambivalent role of B cells in atherosclerosis.
A deeper knowledge of the multifaceted functions of B cells as enhancers and regulators of immunity might shed light on the pathogenesis of, not only immune-mediated processes but also metabolic and tumoral diseases, optimizing B cell targeting therapies in these different clinical settings. The aim of this Research Topic is to collect the most recent data on the multiple roles of B cells beyond the classical humoral immune response. We welcome authors to submit Original Research, Review Perspective, Mini-review, articles focusing on:
1. B cells as antigen-presenting cells
2. B cells as supportive cell, e.g. in bone formation or in the CNS
3. Immunoregulatory roles of B cells
4. B cells in tumors
5. Ambivalent roles of B cells in atherosclerosis