title: Do self-perpetuating B lymphocytes drive human autoimmune disease?
abstract: Normal immunological memory is thought to be underpinned by T lymphocytes. However, in rheumatoid arthritis there are indications that T-lymphocyte control has been subverted by self-perpetuating B lymphocytes. Potential mechanisms in other autoimmune states are less clear, but a number of observations suggest that misappropriation of immunological memory by B lymphocytes may be a common feature of human autoantibody-associated disease. Put simply, autoantibodies drive their own production. If so, the availability of safe B-lymphocyte-depleting agents provides a potential means for reversal of autoimmunity.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cambridge
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Abrahams
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor