B cells in human and murine systemic lupus erythematosus.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to discuss recent publications dealing with the control of autoreactive B cells, how this control is subverted in human systemic lupus erythematosus and in murine models of systemic lupus erythematosus, and how dysregulated autoreactive B cells may then contribute to disease expression through both regulatory and effector mechanisms.


RESULTS
Autoreactive B cells are abundant in the mature peripheral B-cell repertoire and need to be censored to avoid autoimmunity. This censoring is accomplished in diverse ways and may be broken down by multiple mechanisms both intrinsic and extrinsic to the B cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The work reviewed here paints a suggestive picture while confirming the pathogenic potential of autoreactive B cells and pointing to specific defects that warrant further exploration and could represent future therapeutic targets for this autoimmune disease.
Department of Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology Unit, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
Jennifer
J
Anolik
Iñaki
I
Sanz
D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015551:Autoimmunity; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice
D001323:Autoantibodies