Autoreactive B lymphocyte

Autoreactive B cells are a subset of B lymphocytes that possess receptors specific for self-antigens, having bypassed the immune system's tolerance mechanisms (Source: Nature Reviews Immunology, 2020). These cells are central to the development of autoimmune diseases, where they differentiate into plasma cells that secrete harmful autoantibodies and act as potent antigen-presenting cells to activate self-reactive T cells (Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2015). In conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the presence of these cells correlates with disease activity and tissue destruction (Source: PubMed, PMID: 28214016). Pharmacological intervention typically targets these cells through depletion using monoclonal antibodies against surface antigens such as CD20 (e.g., Rituximab) or CD19 (e.g., Inebilizumab) (Source: FDA, Rituxan Label). Additionally, blocking survival signals like B-cell activating factor (BAFF) with drugs like Belimumab can induce apoptosis in these autoreactive populations (Source: GSK, Benlysta Prescribing Information). Recent advancements also explore the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy to achieve deep depletion of B cells in refractory autoimmune cases (Source: New England Journal of Medicine, 2021).

Other names

Self-reactive B cellsPathogenic B cellsAutoreactive B cells

Therapeutic strategies involve the depletion of B-cell populations through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), or the inhibition of B-cell survival and activation by blocking B-cell activating factor (BAFF) or B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling (Source: Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2018).