B lymphocytes in inflammatory airway diseases

• Published in: Clinical and experimental allergy Vol. 40; no. 6; pp. 841 - 849
• Main Authors: Drolet, J.-P., Frangie, H., Guay, J., Hajoui, O., Hamid, Q., Mazer, B. D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-06-2010; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Antibody-Producing Cells - immunology; Antigen-Presenting Cells - immunology; B-Lymphocytes - cytology; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; B-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Cytokines - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Immune system; Inflammation - immunology; Inflammation - physiopathology; Lung Diseases - immunology; Lung Diseases - physiopathology; Lymphocyte receptors; Lymphocytes; Mice; Respiratory tract; B-Lymphocyte; Immunology; Respiratory system; Inflammatory disease
• ISSN: 0954-7894; 1365-2222
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2010.03512.x

Summary
B lymphocytes are key players in all facets of adaptive immune responses and are responsible for the production of IgE antibodies, initiators of allergic hypersensitivity reactions. Recent evidence indicates that B cells may be a crucial player in allergic and inflammatory airway pathology, directly populating upper and lower airway tissues. This review examines human and animal studies that directly demonstrated the presence of B lymphocytes in airway tissues and elaborates on their function as antibody‐secreting cells, antigen‐presenting cells and producers of inflammatory and regulatory cytokines. B lymphocytes appear to contribute to multiple facets of immune homeostasis in inflammatory diseases of the upper and lower airways.
Cite this as: J.‐P. Drolet, H. Frangie, J. Guay, O. Hajoui, Q. Hamid and B. D. Mazer, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 841–849.