[B lymphocytes in Sjögren's syndrome].
BACKGROUND
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune epithelitis hallmarked by a disruption of epithelial cells, the subsequent lymphocytic infiltration of lachrymal and salivary glands (SGs), and their ensuing dryness. One may posit that SS is triggered by viruses, and/or modulated by sex steroid hormones, and there is indeed a consensus that its aetiology is multifactorial, with genetic factors interacting with environmental agents.


BACKGROUND
T-cells have long occupied central stage of the debate on the type of lymphocytes involved in the pathogenesis of SS. The relevance of B cells has, however, been emphasized over the past five years and new insights into their functions revealed. Furthermore, increased levels of the B-cell activating factor (BAFF) may be responsible for quantitative and qualitative anomalies of B-cells found in SS such as emergence of self reactive B-cells. This review reports compelling evidence that B-cells are involved in the pathophysiology of SS.


CONCLUSIONS
Since SS may thus be conceived as a model for B-cell-induced autoimmunity, it is no surprise that B-cell ablative-treatment has proven to be relatively effective in SS.
Pers
J-O
JO
Laboratoire d'immunologie, centre hospitalier universitaire de Brest, B.P. 824, 29609 Brest, France.
Le Pottier
L
L
Devauchelle
V
V
Saraux
A
A
Youinou
P
P
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000276:immunology; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000209:etiology; D051379:Mice; D012307:Risk Factors; D000069283:Rituximab; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000276:immunology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D001323:Autoantibodies; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor; D053265:B-Cell Activation Factor Receptor; D016207:Cytokines; D000069283:Rituximab