ABSTRACT
Plasma cells secreting pathogenic antibodies play a critical role in the pathogenesis of a large number of diseases, including autoimmune diseases, allergy, and transplant rejection. In contrast to short-lived plasmablasts and plasma cells, long-lived memory plasma cells (LLPCs) represent a therapeutic challenge as they do not respond to immunosuppressive drugs and therapies targeting their precursor B cells. Currently, immunoablation with antithymocyte globulin (ATG) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation, proteasome inhibitors, and monoclonal anti-CD38 antibodies are able to deplete LLPCs. Effective depletion of pathogenic memory plasma cells could be the key to better control or even cure in the treatment of antibody-mediated diseases.
