B cells are implicated in autoimmune diseases through both antibody-dependent and independent function. Broad depletion of B cells using anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies have been successful for treating some autoimmune immune diseases, suggesting that B cells are important disease-mediators and can be a viable therapeutic target. However, some concerns have been raised in the past few years regarding the durability of the treatment and side effects associated with long-term depletion of B cells. Next-generation B-cell targeting therapies will focus on targeting more specific pathogenic B cell subsets, drugs that modulate B cell responses and approaches to restore B cell tolerance.
This topic will focus on research that advances our understanding of the roles of B cells in autoimmune diseases with particular interest in translational and pre-clinical studies that have therapeutic implications. We encourage articles in this Research Topic which will summarize recent advances in B-cell targeting therapies in autoimmune diseases and provide a perspective view on future B-cell targeting therapies.
The editors encourage submission of Original Research articles using all model organisms, including humans. We also welcome the submission of Review, Mini-review, Opinion and perspective articles that advance our knowledge on B cell targeting therapies in autoimmune diseases. The themes of this topic include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
1. New approaches that can target B cells in autoimmune diseases. This could include small molecule inhibitors, cell-based therapies, gene therapies, and traditional medicine
2. New modes of action of existing treatments/drugs that are mediated through the modulation of B cell responses
3. Local modulation of B cell responses in autoimmune diseases
4. Novel mechanisms of B cells that contribute to autoimmune diseases
5. Unexpected role of B cells in diseases with potential implications of novel treatment
6. B cell related biomarker studies in autoimmune diseases
7. B cell related side effects of current immune modulation therapies and potential solutions
B cells are implicated in autoimmune diseases through both antibody-dependent and independent function. Broad depletion of B cells using anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies have been successful for treating some autoimmune immune diseases, suggesting that B cells are important disease-mediators and can be a viable therapeutic target. However, some concerns have been raised in the past few years regarding the durability of the treatment and side effects associated with long-term depletion of B cells. Next-generation B-cell targeting therapies will focus on targeting more specific pathogenic B cell subsets, drugs that modulate B cell responses and approaches to restore B cell tolerance.
This topic will focus on research that advances our understanding of the roles of B cells in autoimmune diseases with particular interest in translational and pre-clinical studies that have therapeutic implications. We encourage articles in this Research Topic which will summarize recent advances in B-cell targeting therapies in autoimmune diseases and provide a perspective view on future B-cell targeting therapies.
The editors encourage submission of Original Research articles using all model organisms, including humans. We also welcome the submission of Review, Mini-review, Opinion and perspective articles that advance our knowledge on B cell targeting therapies in autoimmune diseases. The themes of this topic include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
1. New approaches that can target B cells in autoimmune diseases. This could include small molecule inhibitors, cell-based therapies, gene therapies, and traditional medicine
2. New modes of action of existing treatments/drugs that are mediated through the modulation of B cell responses
3. Local modulation of B cell responses in autoimmune diseases
4. Novel mechanisms of B cells that contribute to autoimmune diseases
5. Unexpected role of B cells in diseases with potential implications of novel treatment
6. B cell related biomarker studies in autoimmune diseases
7. B cell related side effects of current immune modulation therapies and potential solutions
