title: The roles of B cells and their interactions with fibroblast-like synoviocytes in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs but principally attacks synovial joints. The pathogenesis of RA is complex and encompasses many cell types, including T cells, B cells and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs); each is believed to play a significant role in the process of RA. Interactions between T cells and B cells and between T cells and FLSs have been studied in depth. However, it has been showed that B cells also play a critical role in rheumatoid synovitis. Therefore, cell-cell contact between B cells and FLSs may be significant in the pathophysiology of RA. This review focuses on recent advances in the research of the interaction between B cells and FLSs. Considering this interaction may provide directions for innovations in RA therapy.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immunopharmacology of the Education Ministry, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
authors.forename: Qingtong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yukun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Dandan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lingling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D016207:Cytokines