Abstract
T lymphocytes are the primary targets of immunotherapy in clinical transplantation; however, B-lymphocytes and their secreted alloantibodies are also highly detrimental to the allograft. Therefore, the achievement of sustained organ transplant survival will likely require the induction of B-lymphocyte tolerance. During development, acquisition of B-cell tolerance to self-antigens relies on clonal deletion in the early stages of B-cell compartment ontogeny. We contend that this mechanism should be recapitulated in the setting of alloantigens and organ transplantation to eliminate the alloreactive B-cell subset from the recipient. Clinically feasible targets of B-cell-directed immunotherapy, such as CD20 and B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), should drive upcoming clinical trials aimed at remodeling the recipient B-cell repertoire.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 703-723 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | Expert Review of Clinical Immunology |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Allograft
- B cell
- BLyS
- Homeostasis
- Rejection
- Selection
- Tolerance
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology