About this Research Topic

Background

B cells are part of the adaptive immune system. After their first encounter with an antigen, B cells can differentiate into, memory B cells, plasmablasts (PB) and plasma cells (PC). They contribute to immunity through the production of antibodies, antigen presentation to T cells, production of proinflammatory cytokines, or anti-inflammatory cytokines that tune the immune response.

B cells have been shown to have an important role in central nervous system (CNS disease). These cells can contribute to CNS diseases by peripheral actions or by their recruitment to the CNS. For immune cells to enter the CNS parenchyma, they must pass through CNS restrictive barriers of the post-capillary venules (blood-brain-barrier, meninges and choroid plexus). In healthy conditions, B cells are rarely found in the parenchyma, although they have a low presence in the perivascular space and are more frequent in the meninges, particularly in the dura mater and in the skull bone marrow. B cells can also be detected in CSF in physiological conditions as well as in disease.

Most of the studies focused on B cells in the brain have been related to multiple sclerosis, where treatment targeting the depletion of B cells has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect. Interestingly, there is also evidence that B cells are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease ad Parkinson’s disease. However, there are still gaps at the understanding on the role of B cells in the CNS and how each compartment in the CNS can contribute to the population of B cells.

Hence, this Research Topic aims to compile evidence to help us better understand the determinants that drive B cell neuroprotective or neuropathologic effects as well as their physiological function in the CNS. To this end, this Topic welcomes submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, Hypothesis and Theory, Perspective, Clinical Trial, Case Report and Opinion article focusing on, but not limited to the following subtopics:

- The source of B cells that affect the CNS.
- The subset of B cells promoting neurological pathology or repair.
- How B cells enter the CNS and what triggers this migration.
- Specific cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying their effect in CNS.
- Role of several B cell subsets in the CNS

Dr. Anne-Katrin Pröbstel served on advisory boards from Biogen, Roche, and Novartis. The other Topics Editors declare no conflicts of interest with regard to their Research Topic.

Keywords: B cells, memory B cells, plasmablasts, plasma cells

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