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Impaired function of CD 19 + CD 24 hi CD 38 hi regulatory B cells in patients with pemphigus
Author(s) -
Zhu H.Q.,
Xu R.C.,
Chen Y.Y.,
Yuan H.J.,
Cao H.,
Zhao X.Q.,
Zheng J.,
Wang Y.,
Pan M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/bjd.13192
Subject(s) - regulatory b cells , pemphigus , cd19 , medicine , interleukin 10 , immunology , cytokine , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , pemphigus vulgaris , immune system , endocrinology , biology , in vitro , biochemistry
Summary Background Pemphigus is an organ‐specific autoimmune bullous disease. Objectives To determine the role of regulatory B cells (Bregs) in patients with pemphigus. Methods The frequency of the occurrence of CD 19 + CD 24 hi CD 38 hi Bregs was detected from 34 patients with pemphigus and 20 healthy controls. Interleukin ( IL )‐10 secretion was processed after stimulating B cells. Specific antidesmoglein antibody (Ab) titres and their subclasses were also measured. Ab response and cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC s) with or without Bregs were analysed. Results The number of Bregs was significantly increased in patients with pemphigus compared with healthy controls (15 ± 7% vs. 9 ± 3%; P < 0·01) and the proportion of Bregs in the active groups (newly diagnosed and chronic active patients) was significantly higher than in remittent individuals (16 ± 7% vs. 13 ± 8%; P = 0·04). The IL ‐10‐producing B cells were significantly increased upon stimulation both in patients and in healthy controls. However, the increase ratio of IL ‐10‐producing B cells between short‐ and long‐term stimulation was significantly lower in patients with pemphigus (1·0‐fold vs. 2·6‐fold increase in control group; P < 0·01). Strikingly, Bregs from the controls were able to suppress interferon (IFN)‐γ expression and T helper cell 1 (Th1) immune response (26% inhibition rate), while the suppressive function of Bregs from patients with pemphigus was significantly decreased (9% inhibition rate). There was no difference in Ab levels from PBMC s with or without Bregs after stimulation. Conclusions Bregs in patients with pemphigus are elevated but with defective regulatory function on Th1 cells.