Rituximab improves peripheral B cell abnormalities in human systemic lupus erythematosus

Arthritis Rheum. 2004 Nov;50(11):3580-90. doi: 10.1002/art.20592.

Abstract

Objective: B lymphocyte depletion has recently emerged as a promising approach to the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As part of a phase I/II dose-ranging trial of rituximab in the treatment of SLE, we evaluated the fate of discrete B cell subsets in the setting of selective depletion by anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and during the B cell recovery phase.

Methods: B cell depletion and phenotype were examined by flow cytometry of peripheral blood mononuclear cells for CD19, CD20, CD27, IgD, and CD38 expression. Changes in autoreactive B lymphocytes and plasma cells were assessed by determination of serum autoantibody levels (anti-double-stranded DNA and VH4.34) and by direct monitoring of a unique autoreactive B cell population bearing surface antibodies whose heavy chain is encoded by the VH4.34 gene segment.

Results: Compared with normal controls, SLE patients displayed several abnormalities in peripheral B cell homeostasis at baseline, including naive lymphopenia, expansion of a CD27-,IgD- (double negative) population, and expansion of circulating plasmablasts. Remarkably, these abnormalities resolved after effective B cell depletion with rituximab and immune reconstitution. The frequency of autoreactive VH4.34 memory B cells also decreased 1 year posttreatment, despite the presence of low levels of residual memory B cells at the point of maximal B cell depletion and persistently elevated serum autoantibody titers in most patients.

Conclusion: This study is the first to show evidence that in SLE, specific B cell depletion therapy with rituximab dramatically improves abnormalities in B cell homeostasis and tolerance that are characteristic of this disease. The persistence of elevated autoantibody titers may reflect the presence of low levels of residual autoreactive memory B cells and/or long-lived autoreactive plasma cells.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Autoimmunity / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Female
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / drug effects
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Leukapheresis*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rituximab
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Rituximab