In recent years, most of the attention dedicated to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has been focused on T cells. B cells are however emerging as comprising an important proportion of immune cells within a tumor, its microenvironment, and tumor-draining lymph nodes alike.
B cells are endowed with a variety of functions that are beneficial to anti-tumor immunity, including antibody production, antigen presentation and regulating the action of other immune cells through secretion of inflammatory molecules. Antibody production by B cells has been shown to induce complement-dependent killing of tumor cells. In some cases B cells have also been shown to kill tumor cells directly.
To the opposite side, B cells may be polarized towards a regulatory phenotype; traditionally characterized by production of cytokines such as IL-10 or TGF- ß which carry out immunosuppressive functions. While desirable in an autoimmune context, such regulatory B cells (Bregs) may promote tumor initiation and progression rather than act against it. These mechanisms may either work through influencing innate immune cells and T lymphocytes towards more pro-tumorigenic phenotypes, or more directly by promoting tumor growth and neovascularization.
In this Research Topic, we welcome researchers to contribute to growing the knowledge in this field. To this effect, we will be welcoming the submission of Review, Original Research, and Perspective articles covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Phenotypic variation in B cells leading to pro- or anti-tumor functions
• Pro-tumor activity of regulatory B cells and distinct heterogenous Breg phenotypes
• Secretory mechanisms by which B cells favor tumor initiation and progression
• B-cell : innate immune cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment
• B-cell : T-cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment
• B-cell targeting for therapeutic immunotherapy purposes
Dr. Brossart receives research funding from BMS and honoraria from Amgen, Roche, MSD, BMS, and Astra Zeneca. The other Topic Editor declares no competing interests
In recent years, most of the attention dedicated to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has been focused on T cells. B cells are however emerging as comprising an important proportion of immune cells within a tumor, its microenvironment, and tumor-draining lymph nodes alike.
B cells are endowed with a variety of functions that are beneficial to anti-tumor immunity, including antibody production, antigen presentation and regulating the action of other immune cells through secretion of inflammatory molecules. Antibody production by B cells has been shown to induce complement-dependent killing of tumor cells. In some cases B cells have also been shown to kill tumor cells directly.
To the opposite side, B cells may be polarized towards a regulatory phenotype; traditionally characterized by production of cytokines such as IL-10 or TGF- ß which carry out immunosuppressive functions. While desirable in an autoimmune context, such regulatory B cells (Bregs) may promote tumor initiation and progression rather than act against it. These mechanisms may either work through influencing innate immune cells and T lymphocytes towards more pro-tumorigenic phenotypes, or more directly by promoting tumor growth and neovascularization.
In this Research Topic, we welcome researchers to contribute to growing the knowledge in this field. To this effect, we will be welcoming the submission of Review, Original Research, and Perspective articles covering, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Phenotypic variation in B cells leading to pro- or anti-tumor functions
• Pro-tumor activity of regulatory B cells and distinct heterogenous Breg phenotypes
• Secretory mechanisms by which B cells favor tumor initiation and progression
• B-cell : innate immune cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment
• B-cell : T-cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment
• B-cell targeting for therapeutic immunotherapy purposes
Dr. Brossart receives research funding from BMS and honoraria from Amgen, Roche, MSD, BMS, and Astra Zeneca. The other Topic Editor declares no competing interests
