In vivo human B-cell subset recovery after in vivo depletion with rituximab, anti-human CD20 monoclonal antibody

Delayed memory B cell recovery in peripheral blood and lymphoid tissue in systemic lupus erythematosus after B cell depletion therapy

“…Consistent with these findings and our own, recent evidence indicates that the recovery of CD27ϩ memory B cells after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is delayed (34), as is peripheral blood memory B cell recovery after targeted B cell depletion in transplant recipients (35), RA patients (12,13), and lymphoma patients (11). In contrast to reconstitution after stem cell transplantation, where the immaturity of other immune cells and the disruption of lymphoid architecture by conditioning regimens are likely to contribute to slow B cell development and maturation, pure B cell depletion would not be expected to result in such a delayed immunologic reconstitution unless human B cells play fundamental roles in the development and organization of the lymphoid architecture and in the regulation of T cells and DCs (36).…”

Reconstitution of peripheral blood B cells after depletion with rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

“…Patients in our cohort have not experienced clinical relapse before B cell repopulation of the peripheral blood has occurred. Approximately 50% experienced a relapse at B cell return (within 2 months), and the rest have relapsed at various times thereafter, but often, after an extended delay (up to 33 months) (3,10). Clinical relapse was associated with a rise in autoantibody levels, particularly, rheumatoid factor of the IgM isotype (11).…”

“…Since 1998, we have been using B cell depletion based on rituximab to treat patients with active, refractory RA (10). Patients in our cohort have not experienced clinical relapse before B cell repopulation of the peripheral blood has occurred.…”

Delay in B-lymphocyte recovery and function following rituximab for EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disease early post-allogeneic hematopoietic SCT

“…[20][21][22][23] Laboratory studies in patients with lymphoma or alloantibodies before kidney transplantation have shown a delayed recovery of CD19 þ /CD27 þ B-memory cells and impaired isotype expression following rituximab therapy as seen in patients with common variable immunodeficiency, suggesting that rituximab can affect not only B-cell quantities but also the recovery of functional B-cell repertoires and differentiation into plasma cells. 20,21,24,25 Little is known of the consequences of rituximab therapy on B-lymphocyte depletion and recovery in patients with PTLD following allogeneic HSCT, particular in pediatric patients. Although incubation of B cells with anti-CD20 antibody depletes normal circulating B cells and has variable effects on cell cycle progression and signaling, the detailed biologic functions of CD20 remain uncertain.…”

“…), administered on days þ 1, þ 3, þ 6, þ 11. Primary engraftment was achieved in all patients and occurred after a median of 22.5 days (range, [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]; two patients had secondary graft failure at days 98 and 225 (patient nos. 2 and 4).…”