Defective Regulatory B Cells Are Associated With Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy

To investigate the change in IL-10-producing regulatory B cells (Breg), which suppress peripheral immune responses, in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from healthy controls (n = 54), patients with Graves disease (n = 26), and patients with TAO (N=125), and stimulated with CpG/CD40L. The frequency of IL-10-producing Bregs and the expression of IL-10 in response to TSH stimulation were measured by flow cytometry. CD4+ T cells were cultured with Breg-depleted PBMCs to elucidate the function of Bregs in patients with TAO. The potential immunoregulatory mechanism was also investigated by Western blot and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays.

Patients with active TAO had higher baseline levels of Bregs in their peripheral blood than both healthy controls and inactive patients. TSH promoted Bregs. Bregs from patients with TAO were defective in suppressing the activation of interferon (IFN)-γ+ and IL-17+ T cells in vitro.

Regulatory B cells in patients with TAO are functionally defective, suggesting that the defective Bregs might be responsible for the pathogenesis of TAO.