Increased Circulating T Follicular Helper Cells Are Inhibited by Rituximab in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.

ABSTRACT: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a severe autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The existence of autoantibody targeting aquaporin-4 (AQP4-Ab) indicates the involvement of humoral immunity in the pathogenesis of this disease. Rituximab (RTX), a monoclonal antibody against CD20, has been used to treat NMOSD by depleting circulating B cells and overall satisfactory outcome has been achieved. Although T follicular helper cells have been proved to regulate B cell activation and antibody production, the role of these cells in NMOSD and the impact of RTX treatment on these cells remain less understood. In this study, we found that frequencies of circulating T follicular helper (cTfh) cells and B cells together with the related cytokines, IL-21 and IL-6, were closely c

SUBMITTER: Zhao C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5350120 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature