antibody ͉ infection ͉ lymphocyte trafficking ͉ respiratory tract ͉ vaccination

Monocytes exposed to serum from SLE patients promote B cell differentiation to IgG and IgA plasmablasts dependent on BAFF and IL-10 or APRIL, respectively.

Macrophage production of CXCL10 amplifies the production of IL-6 by B cells, leading to plasma cell differentiation.

Although IL-10-producing regulatory B cells (Bregs) play important roles in immune regulation, their surface phenotypes and functional characteristics have not been fully investigated. In this study, we report that the frequency of IL-10-producing Bregs in human peripheral blood, spleens, and tonsils is similar, but they display heterogenous surface phenotypes. Nonetheless, CD24 hi CD38 hi transitional B cells (TBs) and CD24 hi CD27 + B cells (human equivalent of murine B10 cells) are the major IL-10producing B cells. They both suppress CD4 + T cell proliferation as well as IFN-g/IL-17 expression. However, CD24 hi CD27 + B cells were more efficient than TBs at suppressing CD4 + T cell proliferation and IFN-g/IL-17 expression, whereas they both coexpress IL-10 and TNF-a. TGF-b1 and granzyme B expression were also enriched within CD24 hi CD27 + B cells, when compared with TBs. Additionally, CD24 hi CD27 + B cells expressed increased levels of surface integrins (CD11a, CD11b, a1, a4, and b1) and CD39 (an ecto-ATPase), suggesting that the in vivo mechanisms of action of the two Breg subsets are not the same. Lastly, we also report that liver allograft recipients with plasma cell hepatitis had significant decreases of both Breg subsets.