BUSM researchers discover cell surface protein activation differs in B cells in unhealthy individuals

BUSM researchers have shown that one type of immune system cell, the B cell, is fundamentally different in healthy people as compared to people with inflammatory diseases, including periodontal disease and type 2 diabetes. These differences indicate that B cells promote inflammation in inflammatory diseases not previous linked to this cell type. These findings appear in the December issue of the Journal of Immunology.

According to the researchers, five to 10 percent of all Americans have either type 2 diabetes or periodontal disease. Therefore, finding new cells that play roles in these diseases identifies new targets for treatment, which may enhance the currently limited treatment options.

“These data raise the possibility that the currently approved highly specific and relatively safe B cell ablation (deletion) therapies may be useful for controlling inflammation in type 2 diabetes and periodontal disease,” said senior author Barbara Nikolajczyk, PhD, an associate professor of medicine and microbiology at BUSM. “Our data also indicate for the first time that vaccine tests must be carefully designed and controlled to account for differences in B cell responses in chronic disease,” she added.