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- Title
B cell subsets in atherosclerosis.
- Authors
Perry, Heather M.; Bender, Timothy P.; McNamara, Coleen A.
- Abstract
Atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of heart attacks and strokes, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the artery wall. Immune cells, including lymphocytes modulate atherosclerotic lesion development through interconnected mechanisms. Elegant studies over the past decades have begun to unravel a role for B cells in atherosclerosis. Recent findings provide evidence that B cell effects on atherosclerosis may be subset-dependent. B-1a B cells have been reported to protect from atherosclerosis by secretion of natural IgM antibodies. Conventional B-2 B cells can promote atherosclerosis through less clearly defined mechanism that may involve CD4 T cells. Yet, there may be other populations of B cells within these subsets with different phenotypes altering their impact on atherosclerosis. Additionally, the role of B cell subsets in atherosclerosis may depend on their environmental niche and/or the stage of atherogenesis. This review will highlight key findings in the evolving field of B cells and atherosclerosis and touch on the potential and importance of translating these findings to human disease.
- Subjects
B cells; T cells; LYMPHOCYTES; IMMUNOGLOBULIN M; IMMUNITY; ATHEROSCLEROSIS
- Publication
Frontiers in Immunology, 2012, Vol 3, p1
- ISSN
1664-3224
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3389/fimmu.2012.00373