Maintaining the B Cell Population Requires Receptor Harmony

These signals not only guide maturation and activation but also affect the removal of potentially self-reactive B cells.

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) super family of cytokines includes both soluble and membrane-bound proteins that regulate immune responses. BLyS (B lymphocyte stimulator), a member of the human TNF family, induces B cell proliferation and immunoglobulin secretion. BLyS expression on human monocytes can be upregulated by interferon-gamma. Soluble BLyS functions as a potent B cell growth factor in co-stimulation assays.

Results published in two papers, one in the October 1, 2008, online edition of the  Proceedings of the [U.S.] National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and the other in the November 2, 2008, online edition of the journal Nature Immunology, presented a clear picture of the interaction between the two types of receptor. "One receptor sends signals to the cell nucleus that says, ‘yes stay alive, the body needs more B cells,' while the other says ‘wait a minute, be careful which B cells are allowed to live',” said senior author Dr. Michael P. Cancro, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

"There is a steady state number of B cells that is considered normal for humans, and we found that molecular cross talk between two receptors on the surface of B cells balances the need to have enough B cells to make good immune responses, while at the same time guarding against autoimmunity, ” said Dr. Cancro.

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