Long-lived autoreactive plasma cells drive persistent autoimmune inflammation.

Abstract

Aberrant production of autoantibodies by inappropriately self-reactive plasma cells is an inherent characteristic of autoimmune diseases. Several therapeutic strategies aim to deplete the plasma cell pool, or to prevent maturation of B cells into plasma cells. However, accepted views of B-cell biology are changing; recent findings show that long-lived plasma cells refractory to immunosuppressants and B-cell depletion therapies contribute to the maintenance of humoral memory and, in autoimmunity, to autoreactive memory. As a consequence of their longevity and persistence, long-lived plasma cells can support chronic inflammatory processes in autoimmune diseases by continuously secreting pathogenic antibodies, and they can contribute to flares of symptoms. As long-lived plasma cells are not sufficiently eliminated by current therapies, these findings are extremely relevant to the development of novel concepts for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Thus, long-lived plasma cells appear to be a promising new therapeutic target.

• Authors: Falk Hiepe, Thomas Dörner, Anja E Hauser, Bimba F Hoyer, Henrik Mei, Andreas Radbruch
• Journal: Nature reviews. Rheumatology (Nat Rev Rheumatol) Vol. 7 Issue 3 Pg. 170-8 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 1759-4804 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21283146 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Topics

• Autoimmune Diseases (physiopathology)
• Autoimmunity (physiology)
• B-Lymphocytes (cytology, physiology)
• Cell Differentiation (physiology)
• Humans
• Inflammation (physiopathology)
• Plasma Cells (physiology)