B-cell tolerance: mechanisms and implications

Advances in our knowledge of the spectrum of B-cell activities combined with the remarkable clinical efficacy of B-cell inhibitors in autoimmunity and transplantation settings serve to re-emphasise the importance of tolerance to self and foreign antigens in the B-cell repertoire. In particular, new information is emerging about the molecular mechanisms involved in B-cell tolerance induction and identification of B-cell selective defects that contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases.