Naive and effector B-cell subtypes are increased in chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Otorhinolaryngology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) is associated with elevated B cells and chemoattractants in nasal mucosa.
• Previous research has not fully characterized naive, plasmablast, and memory B-cell subsets in CRSwNP mucosa and periphery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify naive, plasmablast, and memory B cells in mucosal tissue and peripheral blood.
• To compare B-cell subset frequencies in patients with CRSwNP, CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Prospective collection of polyp, mucosa, and peripheral blood samples from CRS patients and controls.
• Flow cytometry was utilized to differentiate and quantify naive, plasmablast, and memory B-cell populations in sinus tissue and blood.

Main Results:

• CRSwNP patients exhibited significantly higher mucosal B-cell numbers compared to controls (p < 0.01).
• Elevated frequencies of naive B cells (p < 0.03), plasmablasts (p < 0.055), and memory B cells (p < 0.02) were observed in CRSwNP mucosa.
• No significant differences in peripheral blood B-cell subsets were found between groups.

Conclusions:

• Increased frequencies of various B-cell subtypes are present in the mucosa of CRSwNP patients.
• These mucosal B-cell increases were significantly higher in CRSwNP patients compared to CRSsNP patients and controls.
• These findings suggest a potential role for mucosal B cells in the inflammatory processes of CRSwNP.