Epstein-Barr virus infection transforms CD25(+) B cells into antibody-secreting cells in rheumatoid arthritis patients

• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection may initiate production of autoantibodies and development of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Here we outline phenotypic and functional changes in B cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) related to EBV infection. The B-cell phenotype was analysed in blood and bone marrow (BM) of RA patients who had EBV transcripts in BM (EBV+, n=13) and in EBV- (n=22) patients with RA. The functional effect of EBV was studied in the sorted CD25(+) and CD25(-) peripheral B cells of RA patients (n=18) and healthy controls (n=9). Rituximab treatment results in enrichment of CD25(+) B cells in peripheral blood (PB) of EBV+ RA patients. The CD25(+) B-cell subset displayed a more mature phenotype accumulating IgG-expressing cells. It was also enriched with CD27(+) and CD95(+) cells in PB and BM. EBV stimulation of the sorted CD25(+) B cells in vitro induced a polyclonal IgG and IgM secretion in RA patients, while CD25(+) B cells of healthy subjects did not respond to EBV stimulation. CD25(+) B cells were enriched in PB and synovial fluid of RA patients. EBV infection affects the B-cell phenotype in RA patients by increasing the CD25(+) subset and by inducing their immunoglobulin production. These findings clearly link CD25(+) B cells to the EBV-dependent sequence of reactions in the pathogenesis of RA.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Immunologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Immunology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

Keyword

anti-CD20 treatment

bone marrow

CD25(+) B cells

Epstein-Barr virus

rheumatoid arthritis

RITUXIMAB PLUS METHOTREXATE

PERIPHERAL-BLOOD

JOINT DAMAGE

FUNCTIONAL-CHARACTERIZATION

INADEQUATE RESPONSE

PREDICTS RESPONSE

CONTROLLED-TRIAL

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)