Analysis of Regulatory B Cells in Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis

Regulatory B cells (Bregs) that produce IL-35 and IL-10 (i35-Bregs) regulate central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune diseases including uveitis. In the mouse model of uveitis, i35-Breg cells suppress intraocular inflammation by inducing expansion of IL-10-producing B cells (B10), IL-10-producing T cells (Tregs), and IL-35-producing T cells (iT_R35), suggesting that i35-Bregs orchestrate an immune-suppressive milieu that regulates immunity during autoimmune diseases. In this chapter, we discuss uveitis and therapeutic challenges that necessitate the development of cell-based therapies for the treatment of these potentially blinding diseases that cause 10% visual handicap. We then describe the methods we set up for ex vivo generation of i35-Breg cells employed in i35-Breg immunotherapy in uveitis and in other CNS autoimmune diseases.