A role for B regulatory cells in autoimmune diseases was first reported in a mu-rine model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyletis (EAE). B cells were not required for the induction of EAE but they contributed to the immune regulation and complete recovery from acute EAE (1). Later studies further confirmed that the recovery from EAE and the regulation of autoimmunity in other murine models were indeed induced by IL-10 producing B cells (2, 3). Various stimulatory signals were reported to induce B regulatory properties. Of these, TLR-9 alone or together with BCR engagement was mostly reported. CD40 dependent activation was also suggested in later stages of B cell activation (4).
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