Regulatory B cells in autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

BACKGROUND

Regulatory B cells (regulatory B cells, Breg cells) in recent years have been shown to be important immunoregulatory factors.

AIM

To review the role of Breg cells in autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

METHODS

This descriptional review was carried out after research on PubMed using the keywords "Bregs and rheumatoid arthritis", "systemic lupus erythematosus", "Sjögren's syndrome", "systemic sclerosis", "vasculitis", and "dermatomyositis".

RESULTS

Breg cells have an inhibitory effect on pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells and prevent the development of autoimmune diseases. Breg cells mediate their effects through interleukin-10 (IL-10, IL-10+Breg cells), but recently other Breg cells have been recognized that mediate their effects through IL-35 (IL-35+Breg cells), or through transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ, TGFβ+Breg cells). In experimental models of autoimmune diseases, Breg cells are decreased, and when expanded ex vivo and re-infused back into animals, they ameliorate disease. In humans, IL-10+Breg cells are decreased in active autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ANCA-associated vasculitis, and systemic sclerosis, and may increase to normal levels in disease remission.

CONCLUSIONS

The deficiency of IL-10+Breg cells during active autoimmune rheumatic disease suggests that Breg cells may be used as biomarkers and be a possible therapeutic target in these diseases.