A case-based review examines B cells in Sjögren’s disease, the use of endotyping for patient stratification & prognostication, & lymphoma risk.
Emerging Therapies for Antiphospholipid Syndrome, an Antibody-Mediated Disease
A recent A&R review explores innovative, emerging therapies for the currently incurable, antibody-mediated disease antiphospholipid syndrome.
B Original: B Cells, Non-Invasive Biomarkers & More
Experts discussed how aspects of the immune system other than B cells play a role in lupus, including mitochondria in red blood cells, proteins present in urine and more.
B Cell Depletion: The Latest Information on Disease Processes, Therapies
Experts discussed the latest knowledge on B cell disease processes, and what it might mean for future B cell depletion therapies.
B Cell-Directed Therapy May Delay RA Development in High-Risk Patients
New evidence from a clinical trial of rituximab has identified the pathogenetic role of B cells in the earliest, pre-arthritis stage of autoantibody-positive RA…
B Cell Receptor Clones May Predict RA Onset
Researchers have determined that dominant B cell receptor (BCR) clones in peripheral blood may predict the onset of clinical signs and symptoms of RA…
Neutrophils & B Cells Create Unique Antibodies in Lupus Patients
NETs or LL37-DNA complexes may serve as future targets for SLE therapy. In a recent study, researchers identified a link between neutrophils and NETs, and the activation of self-reactive B cells. Their study describes a neutrophil-B cell interaction unique to lupus…
Autoreactive Germinal Centers: A Single Autoreactive B Cell Clone Can Drive Autoimmunity
A study in mice provides insight into the maturation of the self-reactive B cell response, contextualizing the epitope spreading observed in autoimmune disease. Researchers found that clonal expansion of wild type B cells in autoreactive germinal centers appeared to be at the heart of epitope spreading and the consequent autoimmune response…
BAFF: A Fulcrum Between Resistance to Infection & Autoimmunity
New research has linked a TNFSF13B variant and B cell activating factor (BAFF), a common therapeutic target, with multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The variant is a disease-risk allele associated with increased levels of soluble BAFF…
Human Immune System Likened to Model of Military Efficiency
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Speaking at the 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting in a session titled ARHP: Immunology Boot Camp I: Basis of Targeted Therapy, a rheumatologist and immunology expert gave a guided tour of the immune system, described what can go wrong with it and outlined what physicians can do when it does. Troy Torgerson, MD, PhD, associate…