Anti-CD20 therapy in SLE patients: what can we learn from the B cells-repopulation phase. (360G-Wellcome-090406_Z_09_Z)

£193,664

What is the mechanism of action of B cell depletion in the context of SLE? Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease significantly affecting both the quality of life and life expectancy of suffers. Recently, a number of groups, including our own, have reported the efficacy of treating SLE patients with rituximab, a monoclonal antibody that targets CD20 and leads to significant B cell depletion. While there is growing evidence that B cell depletion has an effect on T c ell activation, the immunological mechanisms related to the therapeutic effect of rituximab remain to be fully elucidated. For this study we propose to investigate the effect of rituximab treatment on subsequently repopulating B cells, and the effect of these B cells on T cell activation and differentiation, in patients who respond to B cell depletion and those who do not. The key goals of this research are to further understanding of how rituximab treatment works and the antibody-independent co ntribution of B cells to SLE.

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Grant Details

Amount Awarded 193664
Applicant Surname Mauri
Approval Committee Immunology and Infectious Disease Funding Committee
Award Date 2010-02-08T00:00:00+00:00
Financial Year 2009/10
Grant Programme: Title Project Grant
Internal ID 090406/Z/09/Z
Lead Applicant Prof Claudia Mauri
Other Applicant(s) Dr Fabian Flores-Borja, Prof David Isenberg
Partnership Value 193664
Planned Dates: End Date 2014-11-30T00:00:00+00:00
Planned Dates: Start Date 2010-12-01T00:00:00+00:00
Recipient Org: Country United Kingdom
Region Greater London