Supplement: The Role of B Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis

1 For example, indicators of RA include the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) and antibodies against citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP), which point toward a central role of activated B cells and plasma cells producing autoreactive immunoglobulin. In the last few years, basic and clinical research have shown that B cells can affect RA in many ways. In affected tissues of autoimmune patients, lymphoid follicles with germinal centers (GCs) - the so-called tertiary lymphoid structures - fr

Thomas DÃ¶rner

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In affected tissues of autoimmune patients, lymphoid follicles with germinal centers (GCs) - the so-called tertiary lymphoid structures - frequently form. This clearly indicates B-cell activation and differentiation into plasma cells and memory B cells. These aggregates - T cells surrounding CD20 ⁺ B cells - form GC-like structures in patients with RA or other autoimmune diseases. Moreover, Seisuke Takemura of the Mayo Clinic and colleagues demonstrated in mice that T-cell activation in RA is B-cell dependent. ² Treatment with B cell-depleting antibodies destroyed the extrafollicular GCs, removed dendritic follicular cell networks, and disrupted T-cell activation.

In autoimmunity, B cells participate in various processes. ³ For instance, B cells produce proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and IL-6. On the other hand, B cells produce IL-10, which inhibits inflammation.

B cells also make autoantibodies that can trigger autoimmunity. Patients with RA, for example, often exhibit autoantibodies ...

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