Characterization of a rare IL-10–competent B-cell subset in humans that parallels mouse regulatory B10 cells

Regulatory B cells control inflammation and autoimmunity in mice, including the recently identified IL-10-competent B10 cell subset that represents 1% to 3% of spleen B cells. In this study, a comparable IL-10-competent B10 cell subset was characterized in human blood. B10 cells were functionally identified by their ability to express cytoplasmic IL-10 after 5 hours of ex vivo stimulation, whereas progenitor B10 (B10pro) cells required 48 hours of in vitro stimulation before they acquired the ability to express IL-10. B10 and B10pro cells represented 0.6% and approximately 5% of blood B cells, respectively. Ex vivo B10 and B10pro cells were predominantly found within the CD24(hi)CD27(+) B-cell subpopulation…

• NI
  National Institutes of Health