Research progress of B cells in pathogenesis and treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth due to immune-mediated glandular involvement, patients with pSS may accompany by fatigue, skeletal muscle pain, and other systemic symptoms. B lymphocyte activation is a major feature of pSS, and elevated level of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) is associated with disease activity, ectopic germinal center formation, and serum autoantibody levels. Currently, the treatment methods for pSS are very limited, mainly focusing on improving dry symptoms, so it is necessary to gradually explore specific immunotherapy related to pSS. In this paper, the status quo of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) regulating B cell therapy for PSS was reviewed and prospected.