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Tertiary Lymphoid Organs in Takayasu Arteritis.
Marc Clement1, Adrien Galy2, Patrick Bruneval3
1INSERM U1148, Université Paris Diderot, PRES Sorbonne Paris Cité , Paris , France.
Frontiers in Immunology
|May 6, 2016
Summary
Tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) with B cell aggregates were found in the aortic walls of Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients. These ectopic structures may play a role in active TA pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pathology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- The role of B cells in Takayasu arteritis (TA) pathogenesis is unclear.
- Tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) are ectopic immune structures that can form in chronic inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of TLOs in the aortic wall of TA patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of aortic specimens from TA patients using hematoxylin and eosin staining.
- Immunohistochemistry to detect B cell aggregates (CD20), follicular dendritic cells (FDCs, CD21), and high endothelial venules (HEVs, PNAd).
- Flow cytometry to characterize immune cells in the adventitial layer.
Main Results:
- TLOs with B cell aggregates and HEVs were observed in the adventitia of most TA patients.
- Ectopic follicles containing FDCs were associated with increased aortic (18)F-fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake, indicating active inflammation.
- Flow cytometry confirmed the presence of memory/germinal center-like B cells and T follicular helper cells.
Conclusions:
- Ectopic lymphoid neogenesis with functional features occurs in the aortic wall of TA patients with active disease.
- These local B cell clusters may contribute to TA pathogenesis, but their precise role requires further investigation.
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