Activation of natural killer cells by rituximab in granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:In the last few years, anti-CD20 antibody rituximab profoundly changed the therapeutic landscape of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). Here, we investigated whether natural killer (NK) cells may play a role in rituximab's mechanism of action in GPA. METHODS:B cell depletion, NK cell degranulation, and the expression of CD69 and CD16 on NK cells were measured in a series of in vitro experiments using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In vivo activation of NK cells was investigated in patients receiving rituximab infusions. Cells were analyzed by seven-color flow cytometry. RESULTS:NK cells from GPA patients were activated by immobilized rituximab. Also soluble rituximab activated NK cells, provided that B cells were present. NK cells degranulated and expressed the a

SUBMITTER: Urlaub D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6907269 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature