Human B Regulatory Cells: The New Players in Autoimmune Disease

José L. Maravillas-Montero, Red de Apoyo a la Investigación (RAI), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
Ernesto Acevedo-Ochoa, Research Unit in Immunochemistry, Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico

Although the production of antigen-specific antibodies has been the originally accepted function of B-cells during immune responses, specific subsets that can negatively regulate inflammation, designated regulatory B-cells (Bregs), have been identified recently. These immunosuppressive cells support tolerance, mainly through the production of interleukin 10 and other unconventional factors. There have been emerging data suggesting their importance in diverse normal and pathologic processes. Novel and in development B-cell targeted therapies seem to be ideal treatments for different types of diseases such as cancer and allergy. Here, we discuss the current knowledge on the implication of Bregs in autoimmunity-related diseases, highlighting the importance of these cells for the development of novel strategies in the treatment of these pathologies.

Keywords: B-cell. B regulatory cells. Autoimmunity.