B-lymphocyte contributions to human autoimmune disease.
Journal Article (Journal Article;Review)
Autoimmunity results from abnormal B- and T-cell recognition of self-antigens, which leads to autoantibody production in many cases. Autoantibodies produced by B-cell-derived plasma cells provide diagnostic markers for autoimmunity but also contribute significantly to disease pathogenesis. As discussed in this review, the therapeutic benefit of depleting B cells in mice and humans has refocused attention on B cells and their role in autoimmunity beyond autoantibody production. B cells specifically serve as cellular adjuvants for CD4(+) T-cell activation, while regulatory B cells, including those that produce interleukin-10 (B10 cells), function as negative regulators of inflammatory immune responses. The emerging picture is that B cells, autoantibodies, and T cells are all important components of abnormal immune responses that lead to tissue pathology unique to each autoimmune disease, with their relative contributions changing during disease progression. Autoimmune diseases where B-cell functions are closely correlated with disease activity include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. Understanding the overlapping roles of B cells as mediators of autoimmune disease will facilitate the development of more precisely directed therapies and combination therapies with broader clinical efficacy than current depletion strategies that remove all B cells.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Yanaba, K; Bouaziz, J-D; Matsushita, T; Magro, CM; St Clair, EW; Tedder, TF
Published Date
- June 2008
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 223 /
Start / End Page
- 284 - 299
PubMed ID
- 18613843
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1600-065X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1111/j.1600-065X.2008.00646.x
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England