Puja M. Jagasia, Iulianna C. Taritsa, Kazimir Bagdady and Megan Fracol*
Silicone breast implants have been linked to the development of cancers such as Breast Implant Associated-Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) and lesser understood conditions Breast Implant Illness (BII). The pathogenesis of BIA-ALCL has been linked to T-cell activation and proliferation in the capsule of textured breast implants. The effect of silicone breast implants on B cell-mediated immune reactions is not broadly understood. To cultivate a better understanding of how breast implants, affect B-cell mediated immune responses, both local in the capsule and potentially systemically, the authors performed a systematic review. After screening 1096 articles, 39 studies met inclusion criteria. Of the 39 studies meeting inclusion criteria, 23 studied human subjects, 14 studied animal models and 2 studied in vitro models. These studies focused on B cell-mediated immune responses on either a systemic level by examining antibody formation or on a local level by examining the breast implant capsule. Common results included the presence of anti-silicone antibodies and autoantibodies frequently implicated in autoimmune diseases. B lymphocytes found in the breast implant capsule were shown to form germinal centers and plasma cells, which secrete antibodies. Importantly, ten studies showed no indication that B cell-mediated immunity was significantly different in breast implant exposed subjects compared to those without implants. Exposure to silicone breast implants can result in B-cell mediated immune responses such as antibody formation. More research is needed to link these findings to the clinical manifestations of breast implant associated pathology.
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Journal of Blood & Lymph received 443 citations as per Google Scholar report
