Teng YKO

van Laar JM

The presence of circulating anticyclic citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) is a very specific finding in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A key question is whether ACPAs are pathogenic autoantibodies or merely bystander products. While studies have demonstrated local production of ACPAs in inflamed fissues, it has not yet convincingly been shown that ACPAs are indeed pathogenic autoantibodies, especially not when put in perspective of other known pathogenic autoantibodies. Autoantibodies are produced by plasma cells and it has long been known that plasma cell infiltration in synovium is commonly found in RA patients. In this review we summarize the evidence that (autoreactive) plasma cells may be involved in RA. A better understanding of the biology of plasma cells in RA may open new avenues for treating RA. \ua9 2007 Future Medicine Ltd

Anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies: The footprint of autoreactive plasma cells in synovium?

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