B Cell Subsets and Atherosclerosis: Updates and Emerging Concepts

Abstract

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is increasingly recognized not just as a lipid-driven disease, but as a complex interplay between vascular cells and the immune system. Accumulating evidence highlights a central, yet heterogeneous role for B cells in atherogenesis, with distinct subsets displaying opposing roles. In this review, we provide an in-depth overview of the contributions of B cell subsets to ASCVD, including emerging insights into the roles and pathways of atheroprotective innate B cells producing IgM against oxidation-specific epitopes (IgMOSE) and newly appreciated age-associated B cells (ABCs), a distinct subset that accumulates with aging and potentially exacerbates atherosclerosis. By integrating insights from preclinical models and human studies, we describe the mechanisms through which B cell subsets influence ASCVD, including antigen presentation and immune checkpoint-mediated communication, secretion of cytokines and chemokines, and we highlight that humoral immunity in atherosclerosis reflects a context-dependent interplay between antibody effector properties and antigenic targets rather than antibody class alone. Finally, we explore how the advances in our understanding of B cells may guide the development of more targeted immunomodulatory therapies that enhance atheroprotective B cell functions while limiting atherogenic responses.