B lymphocytes may play a significant role in large-vessel vasculitis. (October 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alba, Marco A; Prieto-González, Sergio; Hernández-Rodríguez, Jose; Cid, Maria C
• Is Part Of: International journal of clinical rheumatology. Volume 7:Number 5(2012)
• Page Start: 475
• Page End: 477
• Publication Date: 2012-10
• Subjects: B lymphocytes -- giant-cell arteritis -- inflammation -- plasmablasts -- Takayasu arteritis -- treatment -- vasculitis; Rheumatology -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.2217/ijr.12.51
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-4272

Abstract

Evaluation of: Hoyer BF, Mumtaz IM, Loddenkemper K et al. Takayasu arteritis is characterised by disturbances of B cell homeostasis and responds to B cell depletion therapy with rituximab. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 71, 75–79 (2012) . The novel finding of increased number of circulating, newly differentiated, plasmablasts in Takayasu arteritis and their relationship to disease activity raises interesting questions about the role of B lymphocytes in large-vessel vasculitis. Whether this observation is relevant to the pathogenesis of vascular inflammation in Takayasu arteritis or is only a biomarker of immune activation needs to be investigated. Response of a few patients to B-cell depletion therapy supports an important role of B lymphocytes in vascular inflammation, but needs to be confirmed in clinical trials.