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Review
. 2016 Aug 23;7(34):55828-55839.
doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.10094.

Positive and negative functions of B lymphocytes in tumors

Meng Shen  1   2   3 , Qian Sun  1   2   3 , Jian Wang  1   2   3 , Wei Pan  1   2   3 , Xiubao Ren  4   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Positive and negative functions of B lymphocytes in tumors

Meng Shen et al. Oncotarget. .

Abstract

Accumulating evidence indicated that B lymphocytes exerted complex functions in tumor immunity. On the one hand, B lymphocytes can inhibit tumor development through antibody generation, antigen presentation, tumor tissue interaction, and direct killing. On the other hand, B lymphocytes have tumor-promoting functions. A typical type of B lymphocytes, termed regulatory B cells, is confirmed to attenuate immune response in a tumor environment. In this paper, we summarize the current understanding of B-cell functions in tumor immunology, which may shed light on potential therapeutic strategies against cancer.

Keywords: B lymphocytes; regulatory B cells; tumor; tumor immunotherapy; tumor-infiltrating B cells.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS

The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. A schematic model shows our current understanding of the negative functions of B lymphocytes in tumor immunity
a. TGF-β-secreting Bregs affect EMT in tumor tissues directly or in cooperation with Ras or Wnt signaling pathways. b. IgA-producing plasmocytes express IL-10, Fas-L, and PD-L1 (the ligand for the T-cell receptor), thus inhibiting T-cell-dependent tumor eradication. c. Bregs serve as a significant cellular source of TNF-α to limit immune surveillance by CD8+T cells. d. Bregs induce the anergy and apoptosis of CD4+ T cells through the production of TGF-β and IDO. e. Bregs enhance the expression of Foxp3 and CTLA-4 (markers for the suppressive ability of Tregs function) in Tregs through cell-to-cell contact. f. CD4+CD25+Tregs induce the expansion of B10 cells. Consequently, B lymphocytes could perform negative functions in the regulation of many processes associated with tumor immunity.
Figure 2
Figure 2. A schematic model shows our current understanding of the positive roles of B lymphocytes in tumor immunity
a. Allogeneic B cells secrete IgG antibodies to recognize surface molecules on tumor cells, activate DCs, and induce the cell-killing activity of CD8+ T cells. b. B cells function as APCs for CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. c. B cells could express the death-inducing molecule FasL, and kill tumor cells through Fas-FasL connections. d. B cells could secrete granzyme B, to cause caspase3 activation and tumor cell apoptosis. Consequently, B lymphocytes perform positive functions in the regulation of many processes associated with tumor immunity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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