The role of long-lived plasma cells in autoimmunity.
Recent results on the biology of plasma cells have shown that these cells can survive as long as memory B cells. Possibly, such long-lived plasma cells are also involved in the production of autoantibodies. Here, we discuss the potential involvement of long-lived plasma cells in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease and the consequences it has for the development of effective therapeutic strategies.
Arce
Sergio
S
German Rheumatism Research Center, Berlin, Germany. arce@drfz.de
Cassese
Giuliana
G
Hauser
Anja
A
Dörner
Thomas
T
Odendahl
Marcus
M
Manz
Rudi
R
Radbruch
Andrea
A
Hiepe
Falk
F
D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity; D002470:Cell Survival; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D016207:Cytokines