B cells in Sjögren's syndrome: from pathophysiology to therapeutic target

Abstract

Biological abnormalities associated with B lymphocytes are a hallmark of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Those patients present abnormal distribution of B lymphocytes in peripheral blood and B cells in exocrine glands. B cells produce auto-antibodies, cytokines and present antigens but can also suppressive functions. In this review, we will summarize current knowledge on B cells in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients, demonstrate their critical role in the immunopathology of the disease and describe the past and current trials targeting B cells.

Keywords: B cells; BAFF; autoreactivity; cytokines; ectopic germinal centers; epigenetics; immunotherapy; lymphoma; primary Sjögren’s syndrome; regulation.