Investigation of novel therapeutic strategies in B cell and antibody mediated disease
type: CreativeWork
description: Terminally differentiated B cells are responsible for antibody generation, a key component of adaptive immunity. IgG antibodies play an important role in defence against infection but can be pathogenic in some autoimmune diseases and in solid organ transplantation. In addition to antibody generation, there is increasing interest in the antibody-independent functions of B cells, including their ability to regulate immune responses via the production of IL10. In this thesis I firstly explored the therapeutic potential of belimumab, an anti-BLyS antibody, in an experimental medicine study in kidney transplant recipients. The rationale for this study was based on published studies showing that B cells activate alloreactive T cells and secrete human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and non-HLA antibodies that negatively affect graft function and survival, but may also play a protective role by regulating alloimmune responses promoting transplant tolerance. B-Lymphocyte Stimulator (BLyS) is a cytokine that promotes B cell activation and survival. We performed the first randomized controlled trial using belimumab as early maintenance immunosuppression in kidney transplantation. In belimumab-treated subjects, we demonstrate a reduction in naïve and activated memory B cells, plasmablasts, IgG transcripts in peripheral blood and new antibody formation as well as evidence of reduced CD4 T cell activation and of a skewing of the residual B cell compartment towards an IL10-producing regulatory phenotype. This experimental medicine study highlights the potential of belimumab as a novel therapeutic agent in transplantation. In the second part of my project I performed a preclinical study investigating the potential efficacy of bromodomain inhibitors in reducing antibody-mediated immune cell activation. Immune complexed antigen can activate mononuclear phagocytes (MNP), comprising macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), via ligation of Fc gamma receptors (FcγR), that bind the Fc region of Ig…
abstract: Terminally differentiated B cells are responsible for antibody generation, a key component of adaptive immunity. IgG antibodies play an important role in defence against infection but can be pathogenic in some autoimmune diseases and in solid organ transplantation. In addition to antibody generation, there is increasing interest in the antibody-independent functions of B cells, including their ability to regulate immune responses via the production of IL10. In this thesis I firstly explored the therapeutic potential of belimumab, an anti-BLyS antibody, in an experimental medicine study in kidney transplant recipients. The rationale for this study was based on published studies showing that B cells activate alloreactive T cells and secrete human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and non-HLA antibodies that negatively affect graft function and survival, but may also play a protective role by regulating alloimmune responses promoting transplant tolerance. B-Lymphocyte Stimulator (BLyS) is a cytokine that promotes B cell activation and survival. We performed the first randomized controlled trial using belimumab as early maintenance immunosuppression in kidney transplantation. In belimumab-treated subjects, we demonstrate a reduction in naïve and activated memory B cells, plasmablasts, IgG transcripts in peripheral blood and new antibody formation as well as evidence of reduced CD4 T cell activation and of a skewing of the residual B cell compartment towards an IL10-producing regulatory phenotype. This experimental medicine study highlights the potential of belimumab as a novel therapeutic agent in transplantation. In the second part of my project I performed a preclinical study investigating the potential efficacy of bromodomain inhibitors in reducing antibody-mediated immune cell activation. Immune complexed antigen can activate mononuclear phagocytes (MNP), comprising macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs), via ligation of Fc gamma receptors (FcγR), that bind the Fc region of Ig…
author: Banham, Gemma
language: en
keywords: B cell, IgG, BLyS, Transplantation, Immunosuppression, Belimumab, Alloimmune, Bromodomain inhibitor, Mononuclear phagocytes, Fc gamma receptors
license: https://apollo8-f-pro.lib.cam.ac.uk/bitstreams/2a69ac49-015e-4753-bae4-f71147f39a99/download
license: https://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved/
date published: 2019-01-26
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:24:32Z
provider: Cambridge University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Cambridge

PropertyValue
property ID: DOI
value: 10.17863/CAM.33536