B cell targeted therapy in autoimmunity.
Autoimmunity results from a break in self-tolerance involving humoral and/or cell-mediated immune mechanisms. Part of the pathological consequence of a failure in central and/or peripheral tolerance, results from survival and activation of self-reactive B cells. Such B cells produce tissue-damaging pathogenic autoantibodies, and subsequent formation of complement-fixing immune complexes that contribute to tissue damage. Current pharmacological strategies for treating autoimmune diseases involve global use of broad-acting immunosuppressants that with long term use have associated toxicities. The present drive in drug development is towards therapies that target a specific biological pathway or pathogenic cell population. This review focuses on some of the emerging therapies based on co-stimulation blockers, and compounds which contribute to a specific B cells depletion, based on studies in animal models and human clinical studies.
Blank
Miri
M
The Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Shoenfeld
Yehuda
Y
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017634:Self Tolerance
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell