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Updated: May 15, 2026
07:37
An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
B-cell therapies for rheumatoid arthritis
1Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Joint Diseases, 301 East17th Street, Room 1610, New York, NY 10003, USA. jose.scher@nyumc.org
Bulletin of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases
|December 25, 2012
Summary
B cells play a crucial role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. B cell depletion therapies, like Rituximab, are effective for RA patients unresponsive to other treatments.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- B cells were initially recognized as central to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis, supported by their presence in RA tissues and the discovery of rheumatoid factor.
- Interest in B cell involvement waned but resurged with the identification of anti-cyclic citrullinated protein antibodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolving understanding of B cell roles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- To highlight the efficacy of B cell depletion strategies in RA treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical and recent scientific literature on B cells in RA.
- Analysis of clinical data regarding B cell-targeted therapies.
Main Results:
- B cell depletion using anti-CD20 antibodies (e.g., Rituximab) has demonstrated significant efficacy in RA treatment.
- These therapies are particularly beneficial for patients with advanced RA who have not responded to conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or TNFα inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- B cells are confirmed key mediators in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis.
- B cell depletion therapies represent a valuable treatment option for refractory RA, especially in advanced disease stages.
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