title: Ectopic germinal centers, BAFF and anti-B-cell therapy in myasthenia gravis.
abstract: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease mediated by antibodies directed to molecules of the endplate of the neuromuscular junction. B cells play a major role in MG disease since they produce the pathogenic antibodies and therapies targeting B cells are effective. The aim of this article was to review the role of B cells in myasthenia gravis. We will first describe what we know about B cells in this disease and examine the involvement of the B cells in the thymus of MG patients. We will detail the role of factors associated with B-cell function such as BAFF. Finally, we will discuss the effects of therapy targeting B cells.
authors.affiliation: Unité Mixte de Recherche-CNRS UMR7215/INSERM U974/UPMC UM76/AIM-Thérapie des Maladies du Muscle Strié, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, 105 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75651 Paris, Cedex 13, France. sonia.berrih-aknin@upmc.fr
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berrih-Aknin
authors.forename: Samia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ragheb
authors.forename: Rozen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Le Panse
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Lisak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D053264:B-Cell Activating Factor