title: B cells and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: search for the missing link.
abstract: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a deadly demyelinating disease due to JC virus (JCV) replication in the brain. PML classically occurs in patients with severe immunodepression, and cases have recently been linked to therapeutic monoclonal antibodies such as natalizumab and also rituximab, which depletes B cells. B cells appear to play a complex role in the pathogenesis of PML. They may act as a viral reservoir and as a vector for viral dissemination in the central nervous system. Anti-JCV antibody responses appear to have a limited effect on JCV replication in the brain. However, accumulating evidence suggests that B cells may considerably influence T cell responses through their cytokine secretion. This immunomodulatory function of B cells may play an important role in the control of JCV infection and in the pathogenesis of PML, including rituximab-induced PML.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University , Istanbul , Turkey.
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Durali
authors.affiliation: IMVA-INSERM U1184, Department of Immunology, Bicetre Hospital, University Paris-sud , Le Kremlin-Bicêtre , France.
authors.forename: Marie-Ghislaine
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: de Goër de Herve
authors.affiliation: IMVA-INSERM U1184, Department of Immunology, Bicetre Hospital, University Paris-sud , Le Kremlin-Bicêtre , France.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gasnault
authors.affiliation: IMVA-INSERM U1184, Department of Immunology, Bicetre Hospital, University Paris-sud , Le Kremlin-Bicêtre , France.
authors.forename: Yassine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Taoufik
keywords: B cells; JC virus; T cells; immune regulation; progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy