B cells in rheumatoid synovitis.
In rheumatoid arthritis, T cells, B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells invade the synovial membranes, establishing complex microstructures that promote inflammatory/tissue destructive lesions. B cell involvement has been considered to be limited to autoantibody production. However, recent studies suggest that B cells support rheumatoid disease through other mechanisms. A critical element of rheumatoid synovitis is the process of ectopic lymphoid neogenesis, with highly efficient lymphoid architectures established in a nonlymphoid tissue site. Rheumatoid synovitis recapitulates the pathways of lymph node formation, and B cells play a key role in this process. Furthermore, studies of rheumatoid lesions implanted in immunodeficient mice suggest that T cell activation in synovitis is B cell dependent, indicating the role played by B cells in presenting antigens and providing survival signals.
Weyand
Cornelia M
CM
Lowance Center for Human Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. cweyand@emory.edu
Seyler
Thorsten M
TM
Goronzy
Jörg J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013585:Synovitis / Q000276:immunology*