title: Targeting of B cells in SLE: rationale and therapeutic opportunities.
abstract: B cells were first implicated in lupus pathogenesis because of their roles as autoantibody producers. B cells, which play important roles in (auto)immune recognition, are now understood to also have other functional capabilities that contribute to the recruitment and stimulation of T lymphocytes and cells of the innate immune system. Herein, these emerging insights are discussed as well as the newly recognized influence on B cells of the Toll-like receptors, which are postulated to be important sources of costimulation for autoreactive B cells. Also discussed is how B-cell survival factors may contribute to the loss of immune tolerance that leads to pathologic autoimmunity. These findings are part of the rationale for the development of new specific B-cell-targeted therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Rheumatic Diseases Core Center, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Gregg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Silverman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002470:Cell Survival; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007155:Immunologic Factors