Update: B-Cells in Rheumatic Disease
Volume 2 | April 1, 2006 - June 30, 2006
Return to B-Cell Literature Review Index
Highest Rated Articles
In this article, Dr. Gregg Silverman reviews the current literature regarding how the actions of anti-CD20 treatment on B-cell depletion and reconstitution may impact the immune system. This is explored by examining factors that influence depletion, the pattern of B-cell depletion and reconstitution, and questions regarding how B-cell depleting therapies affect lymphocytes in tissue. This excellent article clearly and concisely summarizes these topics in a format that is useful for practicing physicians who seek to better understand the possible mechanisms of B-cell directed therapies as well as for scientists working in this field.
In this study, Roll and colleagues sought to delineate the regeneration profile of B-cell subsets in the peripheral blood after anti-CD-20 treatment. From serial analyses in 27 patients treated with anti-CD-20, a characteristic pattern of B cell regeneration was seen in which immature B cells (CD38high, IgD+, CD10+,CD24high) were the first to return followed by naïve B cells. CD27+ memory B cells had a slow and delayed repopulation with the level staying significantly reduced for more than 2 years. This study provides important information on the immunobiologic changes in B cell depletion and reconstitution that occurs following anti-CD-20 therapy.
