Effect of rituximab treatment on T and B cell subsets in lymph node biopsies of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The exact underlying mechanism of rituximab treatment in patients with RA is poorly defined and knowledge about the effect of B cell depletion on immune cells in secondary lymphoid organs is lacking. We analysed lymphoid tissue responses to rituximab in RA patients.

Methods

Fourteen RA patients received 2 × 1000 mg rituximab intravenously, and lymph node (LN) biopsies were obtained before and 4 weeks after the first infusion. Tissues were examined by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR. LN biopsies from five healthy individuals (HC) served as controls.

Results

LN biopsies of RA patients showed increased frequencies of CD21+CD23+IgDhighIgMvariable follicular B cells and CD3+CD25+CD69+ early activated, tissue resident T cells when compar

SUBMITTER: Ramwadhdoebe TH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6532448 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature