CD25-expressing B-lymphocytes in rheumatic diseases

• B cells play an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases due to their production of autoantibodies, antigen-presenting capacity and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The purpose of the present study was to analyse B cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, with respect to their expression of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) subunit CD25. Using flow cytometry, we found that CD25(+) B cells from RA patients expressed significantly higher frequencies of CD122 and CD132 than CD25(+) B cells from control subjects, indicating a fully functional IL-2R. These CD25(+) B cells also expressed higher frequencies of the co-stimulatory molecule CD80, whereas IgM and IgA expression was decreased compared with CD25(+) B cells from healthy controls. In addition B cells from SLE patients co-expressed CD25 together with CD80, CD122, and CD132, but to a lower degree IgD and IgM, when compared with healthy controls. Taken together, our results indicate that CD25(+) B cells from RA and SLE patients are in a highly activated state, display a more mature phenotype and suggest that this B cell subset may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA and SLE.

Nyckelord

Adult

Aged

Arthritis

Rheumatoid/*immunology

B-Lymphocytes/*immunology

Female

Humans

Immunoglobulin A/immunology

Immunoglobulin M/immunology

Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit/analysis

Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit/*analysis

Interleukin-2 Receptor beta Subunit/analysis

Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic/*immunology

Lymphocyte Activation

Male

Middle Aged

Phenotype

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)