nandixon
Senior Member
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I didn't think it had any effect:Yes, the elevation of Tregs might be adaptive.
However, rituximab seems to upregulate Tregs.
The anti-CD20 antibody rituximab reduces the Th17 cell response
From the Discussion section:
In the present study we demonstrated that rituximab inhibits the Th17 response in humans. Rituximab reduces the local Th17 response in patients with RA, and this is associated with a decrease in inflammation and better clinical outcome. Interestingly, the effect of rituximab is Th17 specific, since rituximab had no effects on Treg cell, Th1 cell, or TNF responses. Inhibition of the Th17 response by rituximab is lost in the absence of B lymphocytes. These findings provide strong evidence that B cells are able to modulate the Th17 response, and rituximab inhibits the Th17 function through B cell depletion.
(Btw, the above study cites Prof. Edwards 2004 NEJM study as reference #1. )