B cells recruitment promotes M2 macrophage polarization to inhibit inflammation during wound healing

Abstract Introduction Wound healing causes heavy economic burdens for families and society, becoming a critical issue in the global healthcare system. While the role of immune cells in the wound healing process is well-established, the involvement of B cells remains poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the essentiality of B cells in wound repair. Our findings demonstrate a rise in B cell population during the early stage of wound healing, which further intensifies during the later stage. Methods We employed anti-CD20 antibodies to deplete B cells in mice and created a whole skin excisional wound mice model, analyzing wound closure over 12 days. B cells were isolated from the animals’ spleen and co-cultured with macrophages from bone marrow. The polarization of M1 and M2 macrophages was analyzed by real-time qPCR and flow cytometry. Results The wound healing process in mice was observed to be considerably delayed following the elimination of B cells. The wounds exhibited a state of inflammation primarily characterized by the presence of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages. The decrease in M2 macrophages within the local wound area resulted in impairment of the wound repair mechanism. B cell-macrophage co-culture system revealed that B cells effectively induce the polarization of macrophages towards M2-like phenotype. Furthermore, we found that follicular B cells play predominant role in modulating the polarization of M2 macrophages. Conclusion Consequently, our findings indicate that B cells can be recruited to the wound site and facilitate the polarization of M2-like macrophages, thereby accelerating the healing process during wound healing.