Targets of Rituximab

Rituximab (Rituximab) is a monoclonal antibody that targets the CD20 antigen expressed on the surface of preB lymphocytes and mature B lymphocytes. Upon binding to CD20, rituximab mediates B cell lysis. Possible mechanisms of cell lysis include complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). B cells are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and related chronic synovitis. In this context, B cells may function at multiple sites in the autoimmune/inflammatory process, including through production of rheumatoid factor (RF) and other autoantibodies, antigen presentation, T cell activation, and/or proinflammatory cytokine production.