Characterization of Definitive Regulatory B Cell Subsets by Cell Surface Phenotype, Function and Context

Abstract

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Regulatory B cell or “Breg” is a broad term that represents the anti-inflammatory activity of B cells, but does not describe their individual phenotypes, specific mechanisms of regulation or relevant disease contexts. Thus, given the variety of B cell regulatory mechanisms reported in human disease and their animal models, a more thorough and comprehensive identification strategy is needed for tracking and comparing B cell subsets between research groups and in clinical settings. This review summarizes the discovery process and mechanism of action for well-defined regulatory B cell subsets with an emphasis on the mouse model of multiple sclerosis experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. We discuss the importance of conducting thorough B cell phenotyping along with mechanistic studies prior to defining a particular subset of B cells as Breg. Since virtually all B cell subsets can exert regulatory activity, it is timely for their definitive identification across studies.

Keywords

• regulatory B cell (Breg cell)
• IL-10
• Treg
• autoimmunity
• EAE (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis)
• multiple scleorsis (MS)