Interleukin-10-producing B cell

Interleukin‑10‑producing B cells are a functionally defined subset of **B lymphocytes** that exert immunoregulatory effects primarily through the secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine **interleukin 10 (IL‑10)**. These cells are often referred to as **regulatory B cells** or **Bregs**, with "B10" sometimes used specifically for those identified by their ability to produce IL‑10 after stimulation. They do not represent a single phenotypically distinct population; rather, multiple functional subsets across different stages of human and murine B-cell development can acquire the capacity to produce IL‑10 under certain stimulatory conditions such as exposure to CpG oligodeoxynucleotides or specific metabolic cues[3][4][5]. The primary biological role of these cells is the suppression and resolution of inflammatory responses. They achieve this by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production from other immune cells, promoting differentiation and expansion of regulatory T-cells, reducing effector T-cell activity, and maintaining peripheral tolerance. This makes them critical in preventing autoimmunity but also potentially problematic if overactive during infections or cancer due to excessive dampening of protective immunity[2][3][6]. In disease contexts, altered numbers or functionally impaired interleukin‑10–producing B cells have been implicated in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus; conversely, their enrichment has been associated with operational tolerance in organ transplantation[3][4]. There is ongoing research into harnessing these cells therapeutically for autoimmune disorders or transplant rejection prevention. No approved drugs directly target this specific population yet; however, therapies that modulate overall IL‑10 levels or influence pathways involved in their induction may indirectly affect them. The main safety concern regarding therapeutic manipulation is the risk that enhancing their activity could lead to unwanted immunosuppression—potentially increasing susceptibility to infections or impairing anti-tumor immunity—while insufficient activity may contribute to unchecked inflammation and autoimmunity[2][6].

Other names

IL-10-producing B cellRegulatory B cell (Breg)B10 cellIL-10+ B cell

Secretion of interleukin 10 to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulate T-cell responses[4][5]