Regulatory B cells in autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Abstract

Background: Regulatory B cells (regulatory B cells, Breg cells) in recent years have been shown to be important immunoregulatory factors. Aim: To review the role of Breg cells in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Methods: This descriptional review was carried out after research on PubMed using the keywords "Bregs and rheumatoid arthritis", "systemic lupus erythematosus", "Sjögren's syndrome", "systemic sclerosis", "vasculitis", and "dermatomyositis". Results: Breg cells have an inhibitory effect on pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells and prevent the development of autoimmune diseases. Breg cells mediate their effects through interleukin-10 (IL-10, IL-10+Breg cells), but recently other Breg cells have been recognized that mediate their effects through IL-35 (IL-35+Breg cells), or through transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ, TGFβ+Breg cells). In experimental models of autoimmune diseases, Breg cells are decreased, and when expanded ex vivo and re-infused back into animals, they ameliorate disease. In humans, IL-10+Breg cells are decreased in active autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ANCA-associated vasculitis, and systemic sclerosis, and may increase to normal levels in disease remission. Conclusions: The deficiency of IL-10+Breg cells during active autoimmune rheumatic disease suggests that Breg cells may be used as biomarkers and be a possible therapeutic target in these diseases.

Interleukin‐35 regulates the balance of Th17 and Treg responses during the pathogenesis of connective tissue diseases

“…Bregs are important for the maintenance of self-tolerance and inhibition of autoimmunity, 22 and their deficiency is associated with the development and progression of autoimmune diseases, such as RA. 23,24 A decreased number of peripheral blood Bregs is detected in RA patients. 24,25 Functionally, Bregs can inhibit the differentiation of CD4 + T cells into effector Th1 and Th17 cells, which are important pathogenic factors of RA, and promote the proliferation of Tregs.…”

“…Bregs are important for the maintenance of self‐tolerance and inhibition of autoimmunity, 22 and their deficiency is associated with the development and progression of autoimmune diseases, such as RA 23,24 . A decreased number of peripheral blood Bregs is detected in RA patients 24,25 .…”

Methotrexate induced neurotoxicity in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis on rituximab therapy: a case-based review

“…On the other hand, Rituximab (RTX)-a chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20-is widely used for the treatment of systemic autoimmune diseases such as RA, ANCA-vasculitis as well as lymphomas and leukemias [3][4][5]. On the top of various serious infections [6] RTX administration has been linked with higher rates of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) due to reactivation of John Cunningham virus in immunocompromised individuals suffering from hematologic malignancies and autoimmune disorders [7].…”

Impact of folic acid on regulatory B lymphocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in vitro

“…The number and the functionality of B10 have shown to be crucial to the development and the progression of autoimmune disorders. Patients with systemic lupus showed impairment in the production of IL10 secreted from Bregs 8 and in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis their number is decreased compared to healthy volunteers 9 . Moreover, the adoptive transfer of in vitro expanded B10 Bregs delayed the onset of collagen‐induced arthritis 10 and of experimental autoimmune encephalitis 11 in animal models of the diseases.…”