title: Interleukin (IL)-17-producing pathogenic T lymphocytes co-express CD20 and are depleted by rituximab in primary Sjögren's syndrome: a pilot study.
abstract: Compelling evidence suggests that interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-17-producing cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). We investigated phenotypical and functional effects of the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab (RTX) on circulating and glandular IL-17-producing T cells in pSS. RTX is able to deplete glandular IL-17(+) CD3(+) CD4(-) CD8(-) double-negative (DN) and CD4(+) Th17 cells as well as circulating IL-17(+) DN T cells. A fraction of glandular and circulating IL-17(+) DN cells and CD4(+) T helper type 17 (Th17) cells co-expresses CD20 on the cell surface explaining, at least in part, such depletive capacity of RTX. The exposure to RTX does not rescue the in-vitro corticosteroid resistance of IL-17(+) DN T cells. Our results support further the therapeutic role in pSS of RTX that, despite its B cell specificity, appears able to also hamper IL-17-producing T cells in this disease.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alunno
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carubbi
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bistoni
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caterbi
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bartoloni
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Di Benedetto
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cipriani
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giacomelli
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gerli
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D018951:Antigens, CD20 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D000069283:Rituximab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D020381:Interleukin-17; C004180:dexamethasone 21-phosphate; D000069283:Rituximab; D003907:Dexamethasone
keywords: Sjögren's syndrome; Th17 cells; rituximab; salivary glands
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