Longitudinal studies of the association between peripheral CD27++ plasma cells and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity: preliminary results.

摘要

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and immunological abnormalities. Because of its heterogeneous presentation and unpredictable course, clinical management of SLE remains difficult. High numbers of CD27++ CD20- B lymphocytes, identified as plasma cells (PCs), in peripheral blood have been reported in patients with increased SLE disease activity. This is the first prospective study to evaluate PCs as a biomarker for SLE disease activity.