Antitumor effector B cells directly kill tumor cells via the Fas/FasL pathway and are regulated by IL-10.

We have previously reported that adoptive transfer of tumor-draining lymph node (TDLN) B cells confers tumor regression in a spontaneous pulmonary metastasis mouse model of breast cancer. In this study, we identified IL-10-producing cells within these B cells, and found that IL-10 removal, either by using IL-10−/− TDLN B cells or by systemic neutralization of IL-10, significantly augmented the therapeutic efficacy of adoptively transferred TDLN B cells. Depletion of IL-10 in B-cell adoptive transfers significantly increased cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) and B-cell activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and splenic cells in the recipient. Activated TDLN B cells express Fas ligand, which was further enhanced by co-culture of these TDLN B cells with 4T1 tumor cells. Effector B cells killed tumor cells directly in vitro in an antigen-specific and Fas ligand-dependent manner. Trafficking of TDLN B cells in vivo suggested that they were recruited to the tumor and lung as well as secondary lymphoid organs. These findings further define the biological function of antitumor effector B cells, which may offer alternative cellular therapies to cancer.