B cell alterations during BAFF inhibition with belimumab in SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease, which exhibits multiple B cell abnormalities including expanded populations of memory B cells and elevated levels of autoantibodies. Belimumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting the B cell cytokine BAFF (a.k.a. BLyS), approved for the treatment of SLE.In this prospective cohort study, B cells from peripheral blood of 23 SLE patients initiating belimumab treatment and followed...