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Published in: Seminars in Immunopathology 4/2022

Open Access 29-04-2022 | Autoimmune Hepatitis | Review

B cells in autoimmune hepatitis: bystanders or central players?

Authors: Christoph Schultheiß, Silja Steinmann, Ansgar W. Lohse, Mascha Binder

Published in: Seminars in Immunopathology | Issue 4/2022

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Abstract

B cells are central for the adaptive immune system to mount successful immune responses not only as antibody producers but also as regulators of cellular immunity. These multifaceted features are also reflected in autoimmunity where autoreactive B cells can fuel disease by production of cytotoxic autoantibodies, presentation of autoantigens to autoreactive T cells, and secretion of cytokines and chemokines that either promote detrimental immune activation or impair regulatory T and B cells. The role of B cells and autoantibodies in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) have been controversially discussed, with typical autoantibodies and hypergammaglobulinemia indicating a key role, while strong HLA class II association suggests T cells as key players. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on B cells in AIH and how different B cell subpopulations may drive AIH progression beyond autoantibodies. We also discuss recent findings of B cell-directed therapies in AIH.
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Metadata
Title
B cells in autoimmune hepatitis: bystanders or central players?
Authors
Christoph Schultheiß
Silja Steinmann
Ansgar W. Lohse
Mascha Binder
Publication date
29-04-2022
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Seminars in Immunopathology / Issue 4/2022
Print ISSN: 1863-2297
Electronic ISSN: 1863-2300
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-022-00937-5

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