Alexey V Stepanov, Alexey A Belogurov, Natalia A Ponomarenko, Oleg A Stremovskiy, Leonid V Kozlov, Anna M Bichucher, Sergey E Dmitriev, Ivan V Smirnov, Olga G Shamborant, Dmitry S Balabashin, Lidia P Sashchenko, Alexander G Tonevitsky, Alain Friboulet, Alexander G Gabibov, Sergey M Deyev
B cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of both systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Autoreactive B cells not only produce autoantibodies, but also are capable to efficiently present specific autoantigens to T cells. Furthermore, B cells can secrete proinflammatory cytokines and amplify the vicious process of self-destruction. B cell-directed therapy is a potentially important approach for treatment of various autoimmune diseases. The depletion of B cells by anti-CD20/19 monoclonal antibody Retuximab® used in autoimmune diseases therapy leads to systemic side effects and should be significantly improved...
2011: PloS One