The role of B regulatory cells and Semaphorin3A in atopic diseases

When the pathogenesis of allergic inflammatory diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis is discussed, one should take into consideration the involvement of regulatory cells/molecules whose role is to prevent the induction and/or deterioration of such diseases. The involvement of T regulatory cells and FoxPp3 is well established in asthma, but only little is known about the involvement of B regulatory cells (Bregs) and the soluble regulatory molecule semaphorin3A (sema3A) in atopic diseases. During the last decade, research has sought to better define the various subtypes of Breg cells and how similar they are to their parallel subtypes of Tregs. In this review, we focus on the newly reported role of Bregs in both experimental and human models of asthma. Bregs are also involved in the pathophysiology of food allergy. We also show how sema3A plays a role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. Determining the above processes could facilitate the use of regulatory molecules as therapeutic tools in treating these diseases.