The Germinal Center Milieu in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Immunological Drummer or Dancer?

ABSTRACT: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation, affecting approximately 1% of the general population. To alleviate symptoms and ameliorate joint damage, chronic use of immunosuppressives is needed. However, these treatments are only partially effective and may lead to unwanted side effects. Therefore, a more profound understanding of the pathophysiology might lead to more effective therapies, or better still, a cure. The presence of autoantibodies in RA indicates that B cells might have a pivotal role in the disease. This concept is further supported by the fact that a diverse antibody response to various arthritis-related epitopes is associated with arthritis development. In this context, attention has focused in recent years on the role of G

SUBMITTER: Anang DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8508581 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature