Analysis of B Cells From Autoimmune Individuals

Analysis of B Cells From Autoimmune Individuals

This observational study aims at finding out if individual with autoimmunity exhibit increased numbers of B cells that express two types (instead of one type) of antibodies, and if B cells of individuals genetically susceptible to autoimmunity display defects in the biological process of tolerance, which removes B cells that participate in autoimmunity.

Peripheral blood B cells of SLE patients are analyzed by flow cytometry to determine the frequency of B cells co-expressing immunoglobulin kappa an lambda light chains. This frequency is correlated to the disease activity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult Males and Females diagnosed with Lupus;

• Adult Females who are pregnant and diagnosed with:

  • lupus erythematosus
  • rheumatoid arthritis, or
  • type 1 diabetes.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Adult males or adult females treated with B-cell depletion therapies.