BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of allergic diseases is to be further understood. Recent studies indicate that B cells are involved in the immune regulation. The present study aimed to investigate the role of B cells in the initiation of skewed T helper (Th)2 polarization. METHODS: The surgically removed nasal mucosal specimens from 24 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 22 patients with non-AR (nAR) were collected. B cells isolated from the AR nasal mucosa were characterized. The effect of B cells on inducing naïve CD4+ T cells to differentiate into Th2 cells was evaluated with a cell culture model. RESULTS: Abundant B cells were detected in the nasal mucosa of patients with AR, which also expressed high levels of T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain (TIM)4 and costimulatory molecules. High levels of Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) were detected in the AR nasal mucosa. Expression of TIM4 could be induced in naïve B cells in the presence of SEB in culture. TIM4+ B cells could induce naïve CD4+ T cells to differentiate into Th2 cells. CONCLUSIONS: TIM4+ B cells from AR nasal mucosa can induce skewed Th2 polarization. It may be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of AR. B cells plays an important role in the initiation of Th2 polarization. KEY MESSAGES: • High frequency of B cells exists in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis • These B cells express high levels of TIM4 • TIM4+ B cells can initiate the skewed Th2 polarization.
BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of allergic diseases is to be further understood. Recent studies indicate that B cells are involved in the immune regulation. The present study aimed to investigate the role of B cells in the initiation of skewed T helper (Th)2 polarization. METHODS: The surgically removed nasal mucosal specimens from 24 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 22 patients with non-AR (nAR) were collected. B cells isolated from the AR nasal mucosa were characterized. The effect of B cells on inducing naïve CD4+ T cells to differentiate into Th2 cells was evaluated with a cell culture model. RESULTS: Abundant B cells were detected in the nasal mucosa of patients with AR, which also expressed high levels of T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain (TIM)4 and costimulatory molecules. High levels of Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) were detected in the AR nasal mucosa. Expression of TIM4 could be induced in naïve B cells in the presence of SEB in culture. TIM4+ B cells could induce naïve CD4+ T cells to differentiate into Th2 cells. CONCLUSIONS:TIM4+ B cells from AR nasal mucosa can induce skewed Th2 polarization. It may be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of AR. B cells plays an important role in the initiation of Th2 polarization. KEY MESSAGES: • High frequency of B cells exists in nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis • These B cells express high levels of TIM4 • TIM4+ B cells can initiate the skewed Th2 polarization.
Authors: Santiago F Gonzalez; Michael P Kuligowski; Lisa A Pitcher; Ramon Roozendaal; Michael C Carroll Journal: Adv Immunol Date: 2010 Impact factor: 3.543
Authors: P W Hellings; G Hens; I Meyts; D Bullens; J Vanoirbeek; P Gevaert; M Jorissen; J L Ceuppens; C Bachert Journal: Clin Exp Allergy Date: 2006-08 Impact factor: 5.018