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B-1 cell: the precursor of a novel mononuclear phagocyte with immuno-regulatory properties
José Daniel Lopes1, Mario Mariano
1Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. jdlopes@unifesp.br
Insights
B-1 cells, a type of immune cell, reside in body cavities and can form giant cells. These B-1 cells play a role in immunity, infection, and tumor spread.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Understanding cell origin, properties, and functions is crucial for physiology and pathology.
- B-1 cells are a type of mammalian cell that remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the properties, functions, and fate of B-1 cells.
- To investigate the role of B-1 cells in immunity, inflammation, and disease.
Main Methods:
- In vitro culture and amplification of B-1 cells.
- In vitro and in vivo experiments to observe B-1 cell behavior and functions.
Main Results:
- B-1 cells can be cultured and amplified in vitro.
- B-1 cells reside in peritoneal and pleural cavities, migrate to inflammatory foci, and form giant cells.
- B-1 cells participate in granuloma formation, antigen presentation, and possess regulatory properties.
- B-1 cells facilitate infection and tumor growth/spreading.
Conclusions:
- B-1 cells play a pivotal role in both innate and acquired immunity.
- Further research into B-1 cells could offer insights into immune responses and disease pathogenesis.
Abstract:
Characterization of the origin, properties, functions and fate of cells is a fundamental task for the understanding of physiological and pathological phenomena. Despite the bulk of knowledge concerning the diverse characteristics of mammalian cells, some of them, such as B-1 cells, are still poorly understood. Here we report the results obtained in our laboratory on these cells in the last 10 years. After showing that B-1 cells could be cultured and amplified in vitro, a series of experiments were performed with these cells. They showed that B1 cells reside mostly in the peritoneal and pleural cavities, migrate to distant inflammatory foci, coalesce to form giant cells and participate in granuloma formation, both in vitro and in vivo. They are also able to present antigens to immunologically responsive cells and are endowed with regulatory properties. Further, we have also shown that these cells facilitate different types of infection as well as tumor growth and spreading. These data are presently reviewed pointing to a pivotal role that these cells may play in innate and acquired immunity.
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