Transcriptional regulation of B cell class-switch recombination: the role in development of non-infectious complications

Abstract

Introduction The process of immunoglobulin class switch recombination (CSR) occurs in secondary lymphoid organs. This highly regulated process is essential for the development of different antibody isotype maturation and long-life memory/plasma cell generation. Patients with impaired CSR present heterogenous non-infectious complications. Areas covered We provide an overview of recent advancements in the tight regulation of B cells before and during the CSR at different levels of cytokine stimulations, intracellular signaling, transcription-factor activation, gene transcription and epigenetic controls. Expert opinion Besides recurrent infections which is resulted from the lack of production of class-switched immunoglobulins, intrinsic B cell signaling pathways and regulatory component defects have distinct roles in other immune-related clinical manifestations including autoimmunity, atopy, lymphoproliferation and cancer.