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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
07:37
An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
B cells in rheumatoid arthritis.
Serena Bugatti1, Veronica Codullo, Roberto Caporali
1Chair and Division of Rheumatology, University of Pavia, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, Piazzale Golgi 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Autoimmunity Reviews
|November 24, 2007
Summary
Autoimmune processes drive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis, with autoantibodies like rheumatoid factor aiding diagnosis. B cells are key players in RA, influencing disease development and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis involves autoimmune processes, though its exact cause is unknown.
- Rheumatoid factor, an autoantibody recognizing IgG, is a hallmark in many RA patients.
- Numerous autoantibodies are linked to RA, indicating persistent autoreactive B cell activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of autoantibodies and B cells in rheumatoid arthritis.
- To highlight the diagnostic and prognostic utility of autoantibodies in RA.
- To discuss the implications of B cell functions in RA development and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on RA pathogenesis.
- Analysis of autoantibody presence and function in RA.
- Examination of B cell roles, including cytokine secretion and antigen presentation.
Main Results:
- Autoantibodies, including rheumatoid factor, are prevalent in RA and useful for diagnosis/prognosis.
- Autoreactive B cells persist and proliferate in RA patients.
- B cells contribute to RA through cytokine secretion and antigen presentation in the synovium.
Conclusions:
- Autoantibodies are crucial diagnostic and prognostic markers in RA.
- B cells are central to RA pathogenesis, not just as autoantibody producers.
- B cell depletion is an effective therapeutic strategy for RA.
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