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The role of B cells in atherosclerosis
Andrew P Sage1, Dimitrios Tsiantoulas2, Christoph J Binder3,4
1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. aps63@cam.ac.uk.
Insights
B cells play a critical role in atherosclerosis, a major cardiovascular disease. Understanding their complex functions, including natural antibody production, is key to developing new treatments for inflammation-driven heart events.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Science
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular system faces hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress, leading to atherosclerosis.
- Atherosclerosis is a leading global cause of death, driven by chronic disease processes.
- B cells are crucial for immune responses and antibody production, with defects linked to disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted role of B cells in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
- To investigate the significance of natural antibodies targeting oxidized epitopes in atherosclerotic plaques.
- To elucidate how B cell subsets and functions influence atherogenesis for potential therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on B cell immunology and atherosclerosis.
- Analysis of the role of natural antibodies in binding modified lipoproteins.
- Examination of B cell functions in immune responses within atherosclerotic arteries.
Main Results:
- B cells exhibit both proatherogenic and antiatherogenic properties depending on their specific subsets and targeting.
- Natural antibodies binding to oxidized epitopes are prominent in atherosclerosis.
- B cells modulate immune responses through cell contact, antigen presentation, and cytokine production.
Conclusions:
- B cells are integral to the immune response in atherosclerotic arteries, influencing plaque development.
- Further understanding of B cell influence is essential for developing novel B cell-targeted interventions.
- Targeting B cells offers a potential strategy to prevent inflammation-driven cardiovascular events.
Abstract:
The cardiovascular system is subject to hyperlipidaemic, inflammatory, and pro-oxidant stressors. Over time, these factors drive prevalent chronic diseases, of which atherosclerosis is most prominent and accounts for the majority of deaths globally. Antibody-producing B cells perform a unique role in responses to stress, injury, and infection. The power, inducibility, and adaptability of the antibody repertoire require an equally complex range of control measures. Defects and chronic perturbations in these checkpoints lead to inappropriate antibody responses, which might have important roles in shaping the development and outcome of atherosclerotic disease. A unique aspect related to atherosclerosis is the prominent role of natural antibodies, specifically those binding to the oxidized epitopes that are abundant on modified lipoproteins and cellular debris. B cells control cellular immune responses through cell-cell contact, antigen presentation, and cytokine production, and thereby participate in systemic and local immune responses in atherosclerotic arteries. To date, both proatherogenic and antiatherogenic properties have been assigned to B cells, depending on subsets and how they are functionally targeted. For these reasons, a deeper understanding of how B cells influence atherosclerotic plaque development is being pursued with the hope of providing novel B cell-targeted interventions to prevent inflammation-driven cardiovascular events.
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