title: [The humoral response in rheumatoid arthritis and the effect of B-cell depleting therapy].
abstract: Recent research has shown that the humoral response plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. B-cells produce rheumatoid factors and antibodies directed against cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP antibodies) and are able to present auto-antigens to T-cells. Furthermore, B-cells can produce cytokines and stimulate T-cells. B-cell depletion with rituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20, has a surprisingly strong and long-lasting therapeutic effect. After administration a sharp decrease of specific auto-antibody titres has been observed. Future developments in B-cell targeted therapy are expected to lead to further improvements in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Medisch Centrum/Universiteit van Amsterdam, afd. Klinische Immunologie en Reumatologie, Postbus 22.660, 1100 DD Amsterdam.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Thurlings
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vos
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Gerlag
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Tak
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000917:Antibody Formation; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D000069283:Rituximab
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069283:Rituximab