Human cutaneous B cells: what do we really know?

B cells play many critical roles in the systemic immune response, including antibody secretion, antigen presentation, T cell co-stimulation, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production. However, the contribution of B cells to the local immune response in many non-lymphoid tissues, such as the skin, is incompletely understood. Cutaneous B cells are scarce except in certain malignant and inflammatory conditions, and as such, have been poorly characterized until recently. Emerging evidence now suggests an important role for cutaneous B in both skin homeostasis and pathogenesis of skin disease. Herein, we discuss the potential mechanisms for cutaneous B cell recruitment, localized antibody production, and T cell interaction in human skin infections and primary skin malignancies (i.e., melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma). We further consider the likely contribution of cutaneous B cells to the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases, including pemphigus vulgaris, lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and atopic dermatitis. Finally, we examine the feasibility of B cell targeted therapy in the dermatologic setting, emphasizing areas that are still open to investigation. Through this review, we hope to highlight what we really know about cutaneous B cells in human skin, which can sometimes be lost in reviews that more broadly incorporate extensive data from animal models.

Automated summary

B cells play critical roles in the systemic immune response, but their contribution to the local immune response in non-lymphoid tissues like the skin is still not fully understood. Recent evidence suggests an important role for cutaneous B cells in skin homeostasis and disease pathogenesis, including skin infections and malignancies. Further research is needed to investigate the potential of B cell targeted therapy in dermatological conditions.