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A case for B cells in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome

par Youinou, Pierre;Daridon, Capucine;Pers, Jacques-Olivier;Steinfeld, Serge
Référence Current Trends in Immunology, 8, page (19-25)
Publication Publié, 2007

Article révisé par les pairs

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Résumé :

T cells have long occupied central stage of the debate on the type of lymphocytes involved in the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The relevance of B cells has, however, been emphasized over the past five years, and new insights into their ftinctions, revealed. Hence, it has become apparent that B cells accomplish various tastes. For example, beyond the paradigm that T lymphocytes maintain strict control over B cells, the latter cells are now acknowledged to solicit their own help from the former cells, release a flurry of cytokines, and act as antigen-presenting cells. Furthermore, increased levels of the B cell activating factor (BAFF) may be responsible for qualitative anomalies found in SS such as high numbers of circulating Bm2/Bm2' cells, and accumulation of transitional type 2 and marginal zone-like B cells in salivary glands. BAFF is also associated with functional abnormalities of B cells in SS, such as increased expression of CD19, which decreases the required strength generated by antigen receptor binding for transmitting its signal. SS may thus be conceived as a model for B cell-induced autoimmunity. Since this brings novel prospects for the treatment of the disease, it is no surprise that B cell ablative-treatment has proven to be relatively efficacious in SS.