IL-10-producing regulatory B cells (B10 cells), IL-17+ T cells and autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis

We aimed to analyze IL-10+ Breg (B10) cells, found to be reduced in systemic sclerosis (SSc), in relation to SSc-specific autoAbs and IL-17+ and IFNγ+ T cells in SSc. Peripheral blood B10 cells from 26 patients with SSc positive for anti-Topo I or anti-Cen autoAbs, and 12 healthy controls (HC) were studied by flow cytometry. IL-17+ and IFNγ+ T cells were also studied. B10 cells did not correlate with anti-Topo I or anti-Cen Ab levels but were inversely correlated with IL-17+ CD3+ cells and IFNγ+ CD3+ cells. IL-17+ CD3+ cells did not correlate with autoAb levels, but IFN-γ+ CD3+ cells were inversely correlated with anti-Topo I levels. In conclusion, in SSc, B10 cells did not correlate with SSc-specific autoAbs and exhibited an inverse correlation with IL-17+ T cells and IFNγ+ T cells.