B cell metabolism in autoimmune diseases: signaling pathways and interventions

Jingyue Li; Mingjiu Zhao; Wenjun Luo; Jiaqi Huang; Bin Zhao; Zhiguang Zhou

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1232820

B cell metabolism in autoimmune diseases: signaling pathways and interventions

Front Immunol. 2023 Aug 23:14:1232820. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1232820. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Jingyue Li¹, Mingjiu Zhao¹, Wenjun Luo¹, Jiaqi Huang^{1

2}, Bin Zhao^{1

3}, Zhiguang Zhou¹

Affiliations

¹ National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
² Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.
³ Furong Laboratory, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases are heterogeneous disorders believed to stem from the immune system's inability to distinguish between auto- and foreign- antigens. B lymphocytes serve a crucial role in humoral immunity as they generate antibodies and present antigens. Dysregulation of B cell function induce the onset of autoimmune disorders by generating autoantibodies and pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in an imbalance in immune regulation. New research in immunometabolism shows that cellular metabolism plays an essential role in controlling B lymphocytes immune reactions by providing the energy and substrates for B lymphocytes activation, differentiation, and function. However, dysregulated immunometabolism lead to autoimmune diseases by disrupting self-tolerance mechanisms. This review summarizes the latest research on metabolic reprogramming of B lymphocytes in autoimmune diseases, identifying crucial pathways and regulatory factors. Moreover, we consider the potential of metabolic interventions as a promising therapeutic strategy. Understanding the metabolic mechanisms of B cells brings us closer to developing novel therapies for autoimmune disorders.

Keywords: B cell; B cell differentiation and function; B cell metabolism; autoimmune diseases; autoimmunity.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Autoantibodies
Autoimmune Diseases* / therapy
B-Lymphocytes
Humans
Immunity, Humoral
Signal Transduction

Substances

Autoantibodies

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (No.82170795), the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (No.2021JC0003) and the Central South University Research Programme of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (No.2023QYJC008).