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Role of B Lymphocytes in the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes

  • Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes (A Pugliese, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Though type 1 diabetes (T1D) is considered a T cell-mediated autoimmune disorder, recent evidence indicates that B cells play a critical role in disease. This conclusion is based in part on the success of anti-CD20 (rituximab) therapy, which by broadly depleting B cells delays disease progression in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice and new-onset patients. B cell receptor (BCR) specificity to islet autoantigen is key. NOD mice whose B cell repertoire is biased toward insulin reactivity show increased disease development, while bias away from insulin reactivity largely prevents disease. Although the operative disease-promoting B cell effector function remains undefined, islet-antigen reactive B cells function in antigen presentation to diabetogenic CD4 T cells. Other studies implicate B cells in antigen presentation to CD8 T cells. B cell participation in TID appears predicated on faulty B cell tolerance. Here, we review extant findings implicating B cells in T1D in mice and men.

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Rochelle M. Hinman and John C. Cambier declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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  1. Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12800 E 19th Avenue, P18-8100, Mail Stop 8333, RC1 N, Aurora, CO, 80045-2537, USA

    Rochelle M. Hinman & John C. Cambier

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  1. Rochelle M. Hinman
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Correspondence to John C. Cambier.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes

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Hinman, R.M., Cambier, J.C. Role of B Lymphocytes in the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes. Curr Diab Rep 14, 543 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-014-0543-8

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