Edwards J C, Cambridge G, Abrahams V M
Centre for Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University College London, UK.
Immunology. 1999 Jun;97(2):188-96. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2567.1999.00772.x.
Normal immunological memory is thought to be underpinned by T lymphocytes. However, in rheumatoid arthritis there are indications that T-lymphocyte control has been subverted by self-perpetuating B lymphocytes. Potential mechanisms in other autoimmune states are less clear, but a number of observations suggest that misappropriation of immunological memory by B lymphocytes may be a common feature of human autoantibody-associated disease. Put simply, autoantibodies drive their own production. If so, the availability of safe B-lymphocyte-depleting agents provides a potential means for reversal of autoimmunity.
正常的免疫记忆被认为是由T淋巴细胞支持的。然而,在类风湿性关节炎中,有迹象表明,自我持续存在的B淋巴细胞破坏了T淋巴细胞的控制。其他自身免疫状态下的潜在机制尚不清楚,但一些观察结果表明,B淋巴细胞对免疫记忆的挪用可能是人类自身抗体相关疾病的一个共同特征。简单地说,自身抗体驱动自身的产生。如果是这样,安全的B淋巴细胞清除剂的可用性为自身免疫的逆转提供了一种潜在手段。