[Depletion of plasma cells - a novel strategy in the therapy of systemic lupus erythematosus in mice and man].

Secretion of pathogenic antibodies by long-lived plasma cells which are resistant to conventional treatment may essentially contribute to refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here we introduce two novel therapies that also deplete long-lived plasma cells: 1. Immunoablation with anti-thymocyte globulin followed by autologous stem cell transplantation has already been successfully used in patients with SLE. 2. The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma, efficiently depletes short- and long-lived plasma cells and ameliorates lupus nephritis in mouse models. These novel therapies may improve the future treatment of SLE and other antibody-mediated diseases.