Frontiers in Immunology (Mar 2024)

B-cell targeted therapies in autoimmune encephalitis: mechanisms, clinical applications, and therapeutic potential

  • Haodong Shang,
  • Haodong Shang,
  • Xinru Shen,
  • Xinru Shen,
  • Xiaoxiao Yu,
  • Xiaoxiao Yu,
  • Jing Zhang,
  • Jing Zhang,
  • Yongliang Jia,
  • Yongliang Jia,
  • Feng Gao,
  • Feng Gao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1368275
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) broadly refers to inflammation of the brain parenchyma mediated by autoimmune mechanisms. In most patients with AE, autoantibodies against neuronal cell surface antigens are produced by B-cells and induce neuronal dysfunction through various mechanisms, ultimately leading to disease progression. In recent years, B-cell targeted therapies, including monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, have been widely used in autoimmune diseases. These therapies decrease autoantibody levels in patients and have shown favorable results. This review summarizes the mechanisms underlying these two B-cell targeted therapies and discusses their clinical applications and therapeutic potential in AE. Our research provides clinicians with more treatment options for AE patients whose conventional treatments are not effective.

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