Decreased IL-10+ regulatory B cells (Bregs) in lupus nephritis patients

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of rheumatology Vol. 45; no. 4; pp. 312 - 316
• Main Authors: Heinemann, K, Wilde, B, Hoerning, A, Tebbe, B, Kribben, A, Witzke, O, Dolff, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 03-07-2016
• Subjects: ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 - immunology; Adult; Antigens, CD19 - immunology; B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - cytology; B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - drug effects; B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology; Calcium Ionophores - pharmacology; Case-Control Studies; CD24 Antigen - immunology; Female; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Interleukin-10 - immunology; Ionomycin - pharmacology; Lupus Nephritis - immunology; Lymphocyte Count; Male; Membrane Glycoproteins - immunology; Middle Aged; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides - pharmacology; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate - analogs & derivatives; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate - pharmacology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0300-9742; 1502-7732
• DOI: 10.3109/03009742.2015.1126346

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by B cell-dependent autoantibody production. Recently, a new B-cell subset was discovered that has a regulatory capacity. The aim of this study was to analyse regulatory B cells (Bregs) in SLE patients.
Method: Peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) of 34 SLE patients fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for SLE and 21 healthy controls (HC) were included. PBMCs were stained for CD19, CD24, and CD38 and analysed by flow cytometry. In vitro stimulated PBMCs with CpG and restimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin were investigated for IL-10
+
Bregs .
Results: The percentages of circulating CD19
+
CD24
hi
CD38
hi
cells in HC were not different those in from SLE patients. The percentages of IL-10
+
Bregs were significantly decreased in SLE patients, in particular those with lupus nephritis (LN), compared to HC. The proportion was independent of disease activity.
Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate a decrease in IL-10-producing B cells in LN patients compared to HC, reflecting an impaired regulatory function.