Frontiers in Immunology (Oct 2021)

The Dynamics of B Cell Aging in Health and Disease

  • Jill de Mol,
  • Johan Kuiper,
  • Dimitrios Tsiantoulas,
  • Amanda C. Foks

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.733566
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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Aging is considered to be an important risk factor for several inflammatory diseases. B cells play a major role in chronic inflammatory diseases by antibody secretion, antigen presentation and T cell regulation. Different B cell subsets have been implicated in infections and multiple autoimmune diseases. Since aging decreases B cell numbers, affects B cell subsets and impairs antibody responses, the aged B cell is expected to have major impacts on the development and progression of these diseases. In this review, we summarize the role of B cells in health and disease settings, such as atherosclerotic disease. Furthermore, we provide an overview of age-related changes in B cell development and function with respect to their impact in chronic inflammatory diseases.

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