Importance of B cells (Review)

As a key component of the immune system, B cells primarily mediate humoral immunity via the synthesis and secretion of antibodies. In addition, B cells contribute to immune responses via antigen presentation and cytokine secretion. B cell‑targeted therapy has potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. However, current B cell‑targeted therapies have limited efficacy when used as monotherapies in clinical settings. In an aim to provide in‑depth understanding of this limitation, the present review discusses the developmental and differentiation pathways of B cells and the mechanisms by which various B cell subsets participate in immune responses, as well as randomized controlled trials on B cell‑targeted therapies conducted on lupus nephritis, an autoimmune disease with a notable inflammatory response. The clinical benefits of these therapies remain modest. This suggests that while B cells may serve a pathogenic role, existing therapies fail to address the fundamental mechanisms underlying disease progression. Targeting the interactions between B and T cells, particularly by inhibiting B cell‑mediated antigen presentation, may represent a promising novel direction for B cell‑targeted therapy.