Alterations on peripheral blood B cell subsets induced by allergic rhinitis

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Allergology

Background:

• Allergic rhinitis, particularly to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (dust mites), is a common condition.
• B cell subset distribution plays a crucial role in immune responses and allergic pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alterations in circulating B cell subsets in patients with allergic rhinitis to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.
• To determine if these alterations are modified by subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT).

Main Methods:

• Flow cytometry was used to analyze circulating B cell subsets and isotype expression.
• Study included allergic patients undergoing conventional treatment (NO-SIT), SCIT, and non-allergic controls (NC).

Main Results:

• Allergic patients showed a significant decrease in IgM(+) and IgG(+) memory B cells.
• An increase in IgA(+) memory B cells and IgA(+) plasmablasts was observed in allergic patients.
• Circulating IgM(+) plasmablasts were reduced in allergic individuals.

Conclusions:

• Patients with allergic rhinitis exhibit a disturbed distribution of B cell subsets.
• This B cell dysregulation appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of rhinitis.
• The observed B cell subset alterations remained unchanged following SCIT.