Title:B Cells: Programmers of CD4 T Cell Responses
VOLUME: 12 ISSUE: 3
Author(s):Tom A. Barr, Mohini Gray and David Gray
Affiliation:Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, King’s Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT.
Keywords:B cell, T cell, antigen presentation, TLR, memory, cell responses, antibody production, B cell immunobiology, CD4 T cell response, dendritic cells, protein antigens, gross abnormalities, memory cells, lymphoid
organogenesis, amateur
Abstract:B cells are once again gaining prominence as important programmers of CD4 T cell responses. With widespread
use of B cell depletion therapy in the clinic, proving effective in treating diseases previously considered T cellmediated,
the time is right for a re-appraisal of the B cell. Though typically considered weak, Th2 driving APC, it is now
clear that they are necessary for a robust and long-lived CD4 T cell response in many settings. The sphere of B cell influence
extends well beyond that of simply antibody production; antigen presentation, cytokine secretion, costimulation and
development of lymphoid tissue architecture are all critical aspects of B cell immunobiology, the absence of which has serious
impacts for T cell priming and memory. The aim of this review is to look at non-antibody mediated B cell function
and to ask how, where and when do B cells influence the CD4 T cell response?
