Elevated Production of B Cell Chemokine CXCL13 is Correlated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity

Introduction B lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC/CXCL13), a CXC chemokine, is involved in B1 and B2 cell trafficking for the activation of autoreactive T helper (Th) cells and autoantibody production in target organs during the development of lupus. CXCL13 can induce the trafficking of CXCR5+ T lymphocyte subset designated as follicular helper T lymphocytes (TFH) which are specifically involved in autoantibody production.