Regulatory B cell

Regulatory B cell (Breg) is a type of B cell that plays a crucial role in immune response by suppressing inflammatory responses and maintaining immune tolerance. Bregs are known for their ability to produce IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, which helps in the regulation of immune responses.

Function

Regulatory B cells function primarily to limit the immune response. They do this by producing IL-10, which suppresses the activity of T cells and other immune cells. This helps to prevent excessive or unnecessary immune responses that could lead to autoimmune diseases or chronic inflammation.

Identification

Bregs can be identified by their expression of certain surface markers, such as CD19, CD24, and CD38. However, the identification of Bregs is still a topic of ongoing research, as there is no single definitive marker for these cells.

Role in Disease

Bregs have been implicated in a number of diseases, including autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases. In autoimmune diseases, Bregs can help to suppress the immune response and prevent the body from attacking its own tissues. In cancer, Bregs may help to suppress anti-tumor immune responses, allowing the cancer to grow and spread. In infectious diseases, Bregs can help to limit the immune response and prevent excessive inflammation.

Research

Research into Bregs is a rapidly growing field, with potential applications in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, cancer, and other conditions. Current research is focused on understanding the mechanisms by which Bregs regulate the immune response, as well as developing methods to manipulate Bregs for therapeutic purposes.

See Also

• B cell
• Immune response
• Interleukin 10
• Autoimmune disease
• Cancer
• Infectious disease