Limiting allergic responses with B cells
B cells promote immune responses by producing antibodies; however, subsets of B cells secrete the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) and have immunosuppressive properties. Kim et al. found that these B cells inhibited the activation of mast cells, immune cells that are critical regulators of allergic reactions. Indeed, mice lacking these special B cells had more severe symptoms of anaphylaxis. Mast cell inhibition required physical contact with the B cells, which stimulated the B cells to produce more IL-10. B cell–mediated inhibition of mast cells depended on IL-10, which inhibited tyrosine kinase signaling in mast cells. Thus, IL-10–producing B cells might provide a therapeutic target to treat allergic diseases.
