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Alterations of peripheral blood B cell subsets in Chinese patients with adult idiopathic inflammatory myopathies
Y. Wang1, L. Zhu2, B. Ju3, J. Luo4, Q. Li5, X. Lv6, D. Pu7, Z. Hao8, J. Wang9, L. He10
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China. xajdhl87@mail.xjtu.edu.cn
CER14603
2022 Vol.40, N°2
PI 0260, PF 0266
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PMID: 34905483 [PubMed]
Received: 07/03/2021
Accepted : 28/06/2021
In Press: 10/12/2021
Published: 25/02/2022
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Abnormalities and hyperactivation of B cells have been described in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). However, little is known about changes in the homeostasis of peripheral blood B cells in adult IIM patients. The aim of this study was to identify phenotypic alterations of B cell subsets and their relation to the overall clinical profile.
METHODS:
Blood samples were collected from 25 adult IIM patients and 15 healthy controls. Peripheral B cell subsets were classified into non-switched memory B cells (CD19+CD27+lgD+), switched memory B cells (CD19+CD27+lgD−), double-negative (DN) memory B cells (CD19+CD27−lgD−) and naïve B cells (CD19+CD27−lgD+) based on their surface phenotype as measured by flow cytometry. The clinical profile of IIM and its correlation with B cell subsets was further evaluated.
RESULTS:
Frequencies of CD19+ B cells and naïve B cells were increased in adult IIM patients compared with healthy controls (p=0.005 and p<0.001, respectively) and the frequency of memory B cells was decreased (p<0.001). Moreover, patients with a rash had lower non-switched memory B cells proportion (p=0.032). Patients with anti-MDA5+ antibodies had higher CD19+ B cells proportion than anti-ARS+ patients (p=0.046). Patients who were not receiving treatment had elevated levels of CD19+ B cells and naïve B cells along with reduced non-switched memory B cells compared with patients who were receiving treatment (p=0.021, p=0.036 and p=0.032, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS:
Our findings demonstrate abnormalities in the homeostasis of the B cell subsets present in adult IIM patients, characterised by expanded CD19+ B cells and naïve B cells but reduced memory B cells. Phenotypic abnormalities of B cell subsets are associated with the presence of a rash, with anti-MDA5 positivity and with treatment.
