Current understanding of the role of B cell subsets and intimal and adventitial B cells in atherosclerosis.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

Inflammation, in addition to high cholesterol is a major factor contributing to atherosclerosis-associated adverse cardiovascular events. Thus, there is a pressing need for additional therapeutic strategies to reduce inflammation, by targeting immune cells and cytokines. Here we review B cell subsets and adventitial and intimal B cells in atherosclerosis development and discuss potential B cell-targeted anti-inflammatory therapies for atherosclerosis.

RECENT FINDINGS:

B cell subsets can have opposing proatherogenic and atheroprotective roles in atherosclerosis. CD-20-targeted B cell depletion has been shown to decrease murine atherosclerotic lesions. The accumulation of intimal and adventitial B cells associated with atherosclerotic lesions is consistent with their participation in local inflammatory responses. As B2 B cells are proatherogenic, blocking its survival factor B cell activating factor may selectively delete this proatherogenic subset.

SUMMARY:

Both intimal and adventitial B cells appear important in atherosclerosis. B2 B cells are proatherogenic and other subsets such as regulatory B cells are antiatherogenic. Future B cell-targeted therapy for atherosclerosis should be customized to selectively deplete damaging B2 B cells while sparing or expanding protective B cell subsets.

• Authors: Tin Kyaw, Peter Tipping, Ban-Hock Toh, Alex Bobik
• Journal: Current opinion in lipidology (Curr Opin Lipidol) Vol. 22 Issue 5 Pg. 373-9 (Oct 2011) ISSN: 1473-6535 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21881498 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Topics

• Animals
• Atherosclerosis (immunology)
• B-Lymphocyte Subsets (immunology)
• Connective Tissue (immunology)
• Humans
• Inflammation (immunology)
• Tunica Intima (immunology)