Rituximab in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Transient Effects on Autoimmunity Associated Lymphocyte Phenotypes and Implications for Immunogenicity.

ABSTRACT: B cell abnormalities are common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and include expansion of double negative (DN) and age-associated-like B cells (ABC-like). We aimed to investigate rituximab (RTX) effects on DN and ABC-like B-cell subsets and, when possible, also secondary effects on T cells. Fifteen SLE patients, fulfilling the ACR 1982 criteria, starting RTX and followed longitudinally up to two years, were analyzed for B- and T- lymphocyte subsets using multicolor flow cytometry. DN were defined as IgD-CD27- and ABC-like as CD11c+CD21- within the DN gate. Additional phenotyping was performed adding CXCR5 in the B-cell panel. Cellular changes were further analyzed in the context of the generation of anti-drug antibodies (ADA) against RTX and clinical information. The SLE patients wer

SUBMITTER: Faustini F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9027571 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature