A higher frequency of IL ‐10‐producing B cells in Hepatitis B virus‐associated membranous nephropathy

Summary The purpose of this study is to elucidate the potential role of interleukin ( IL )‐10 + regulatory B cells and other B cell subsets in the development of hepatitis B virus‐associated membranous nephropathy ( HBV ‐ MN ). A total of 14 patients with new onset HBV ‐ MN , 12 individuals with immune‐tolerant HBV infection ( HBV ‐ IT ), and 12 healthy controls ( HC ) were examined for the percentages of CD 38 + , CD 86 + , CD 27 + , CD 95 + and IL ‐10 + B cells by flow cytometry. Serum IL ‐10 concentration was examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ). The percentages of CD 38 + CD 19 + , CD 86 + CD 19 + , CD 38 + CD 86 + CD 19 + , and CD 95 + CD 19 + B cells were significantly higher in HBV ‐ MN patients than the HBV ‐ IT and HC . The percentages of CD 5 + CD 19 + , IL ‐10 + CD 19 + B cells and serum IL ‐10 level in HBV ‐ MN patients were significantly higher than the HC , and lower than the HBV ‐ IT . Percentages of CD 38 + CD 19 + , and CD 86 + CD 19 + B cells were reduced after treatment, while the percentages of CD 5 + CD 1d + CD 19 + , CD 5 + CD 1d + IL ‐10 + CD 19 + , and IL ‐10 + CD 19 + B cells were increased. The 24 h urinary protein concentration was positively correlated with the percentage of CD 38 + CD 19 + , and negatively correlated with the percentage of IL ‐10 + CD 19 + B cells and serum IL ‐10 level. Similarly, the value of eGFR was negatively correlated with the percentage of CD 38 + CD 19 + , and positively correlated with the percentage of IL ‐10 + CD 19 + B cells and serum IL ‐10 level. Serum IL ‐10 level and the percentage of IL ‐10 + CD 19 + were negatively correlated with the percentages of CD 38 + CD 19 + , and CD 86 + CD 19 + B cells. These results suggest that CD 86 + CD 19 + , CD 38 + CD 86 + CD 19 + , CD 95 + CD 19 + , and especially CD 38 + CD 19 + and IL ‐10 + CD 19 + cells may participate in the pathogenesis of HBV ‐ MN .