Abstract Number: 2871 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Break of Anergy in Human Autoreactive B Cells By T Helper Signals Restores B Cell Receptor Signaling Capacity and Is Dependent on Upregulation of CD45 Phosphatase Activity-a Possible Novel Mechanism of Breech of B Cell Tolerance in Rheumatic Diseases
Background/Purpose : We recently identified a human B cell population, which is naturally autoreactive and tolerized by functional anergy. This population was naïve, fully mature,…Abstract Number: 2872 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
B-Cell Autoepitope and Tetramer Analysis Reveals Expansion of Apoptotic Autoantigen La and snRNP Reactive B Cells in BXD2 Mice
Background/Purpose Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is characterized by production of highly pathogenic IgG autoantibodies (autoAbs). While serum autoAb profiling is standard, it remains challenging to…Abstract Number: 2873 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Epratuzumab Induces Broad Inhibition of B Cell Receptor Proximal Signaling but Has Opposing Effects on Distal Signaling in B Cell Subsets: A Profile of Effects on Functional Immune Signaling By Single Cell Network Profiling
Background/Purpose Epratuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the B cell-specific protein CD22 and is in Phase 3 clinical trials in patients with systemic lupus…Abstract Number: 2874 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Pro-Inflammatory FcRL4+ Memory B Cells in Joints of RA Patients: Immunoglobulin Gene Characteristics and Antigen Specificity
Background/Purpose: Our recent findings identified a subset of pro-inflammatory memory B cells in the RA synovium characterized by the expression of the surface protein…Abstract Number: 2835 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
A Phase 2, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Proof-of-Concept Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Sirukumab in Patients with Active Lupus Nephritis
Background/Purpose: IL-6 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is over-expressed in lupus nephritis(LN). This proof-of-concept study examined the efficacy and safety of sirukumab, an anti-interleukin-6…Abstract Number: 2836 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Effects of Blisibimod, an Inhibitor of B Cell Activating Factor, on Patient Reported Outcomes and Disease Activity in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Background/Purpose: To conduct secondary endpoint analyses of the effects of subcutaneously-administered blisibimod (A-623, AMG 623), an inhibitor of B-cell activating factor (BAFF), on patient-reported outcomes and…Abstract Number: 2837 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Induction of Clinical Remission By Low-Dose Interleukin-2 in Refractory SLE
Background/Purpose Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is crucial for the growth and survival of regulatory T cells (Treg), and thus for the control of autoimmunity. In previous studies…Abstract Number: 2838 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Exploratory Analysis of Pharmacokinetic Effects of Atacicept in Patients with Moderate to Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Background/Purpose: Atacicept is a fusion protein that inhibits B-cell stimulating factors BLyS and APRIL. We previously reported the clinical effects of atacicept in lupus patients…Abstract Number: 2839 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
BCL-2 As a Potential Therapeutic Target in Human Lupus Tubulointerstitial Inflammation
Background/Purpose Lupus nephritis (LuN) is the most common, severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have previously shown that glomerulonephritis appears to be a…Abstract Number: 2840 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Targeting the RhoA-Rock Pathway to Reverse T Cell Dysfunction in SLE
Background/Purpose Aberrant expansion of TH-17 cells and deregulated production of IL-17 and IL-21 are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. Production of IL-17 and IL-21…Abstract Number: 2841 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Identifying Novel Lupus Severity Risk Variants through Identification of Alleles with High Ethnic Variability Worldwide
Background/Purpose: Substantial epidemiologic evidence demonstrates that SLE disproportionately affects minority patients in terms of incidence, prevalence, and disease severity. European ancestry has been associated with…Abstract Number: 2842 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
An Anti CD123 Monoclonal Antibody (CSL362) Depletes Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells and Inhibits CpG Upregulated IFNα Production and IFNα-Inducible Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Background/Purpose Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) contribute to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis by producing Type 1 interferon (IFN), most likely induced by endosomal Toll like…Abstract Number: 2843 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
SLE Patients Carrying a Disease-Associated PTPN22 R620W Variant Show Reduced Interferon-Inducing Capacity
Background/Purpose Type 1 interferons (IFN) are implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Increased expression of IFN-regulated genes, termed the IFN-signature, correlates with…Abstract Number: 2844 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Intracellular Complement C3 Is Exposed on the Cell Surface upon Apoptosis Induction and Participates in the Clearance of Apoptotic Cells By Phagocytes
Background/Purpose The complement system has been viewed as a predominantly serum-derived host defense mechanism with multiple functions, including clearance of apoptotic cells. Defective function of…Abstract Number: 2845 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Altered Plasticity of Inflammatory CD4 T Cells Contributing to Th17 Shift in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Background/Purpose Whereas T helper (Th) cell subsets were previously regarded as irreversibly differentiated endpoints, evidence suggests that Th cell differentiation is a plastic process in…
ACR Meeting Abstracts