What do we know about memory B cells in primary Sjögren's syndrome?
Abnormalities of memory B cells seem to be closely involved in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögrens Syndrome (pSS) and its malignant complication, B cell lymphoma. Recent studies on B cells in pSS add to our understanding of the distinct memory B cell subsets in pSS. Reduction of peripheral memory CD27(+) B cells, most strikingly of the CD27(+)IgM(+) subset, may indicate a lack of appropriate censoring mechanisms and incomplete differentiation processes within the ectopic lymphoid tissues in pSS. This ectopically formed lymphoid tissue might protect autoreactive memory B cells from deletion by physiological check-points and, thereby, may contribute to the perpetuation of the disease as well as to an enhanced lymphoma risk. Thus, B cells may be potential targets of direct or indirect treatment in pSS.
Hansen
Arne
A
Department of Medicine, Park-Klinik Weissensee, Berlin, Germany. hansen@park-klinik.com
Daridon
Capucine
C
Dörner
Thomas
T
D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000378:metabolism; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000378:metabolism; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / Q000378:metabolism
D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7