Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: November 1, 2015
B-cell subset changes and clinical predictors of telitacicept response in SLE patients with antiphospholipid antibody
Yadi Sun1, Xu Wang2, Yueying Wang1
1Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Objective:
To characterize the dynamic changes in B-cell subsets in Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) positivity treated with telitacicept and to identify baseline predictors of treatment response.
Methods:
Twenty patients with active aPL-positive SLE receiving telitacicept in addition to standard therapy were enrolled, and 20 healthy individuals served as controls. Peripheral blood B-cell subsets and clinical parameters were assessed at baseline, week 12 and week 24. B cell subsets were analyzed using flow cytometry. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify baseline predictors of SRI-4 response at week 24.
Results:
At baseline, the proportions of double-negative (DN) B cells and plasmablasts among total B cells were significantly higher in patients with aPL-positive SLE than in healthy controls (both p < 0.001). During the treatment of telitacicept, DN B-cell proportions decreased significantly by week 12 and continued to decline over 24 weeks, while plasmablast proportions decreased significantly by week 24; absolute counts of both subsets did not change significantly but showed a downward trend. Levels of BAFF, APRIL, IFN-γ, IL-21 and IL-10 were significantly higher in patients with aPL-positive SLE than in healthy controls and decreased after 24 weeks of telitacicept treatment. At week 24, 65% (13/20) of patients achieved an SRI-4 response, with significant reductions in SLEDAI-2K scores, IgG, anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA), and 24-h urine protein, along with increased complement C3 levels. Levels of aCL IgG (p < 0.001), anti-β2GPI IgG (p = 0.023), and LAC (p = 0.025) were all reduced. Multivariable analysis showed that higher baseline IgG [OR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.05-3.63, P = 0.035] and anti-β2GPI IgG levels [OR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.12, P = 0.048] were independently associated with SRI-4 response at week 24.
Conclusion:
Telitacicept may represent a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with aPL-positive SLE, potentially exerting its therapeutic effects by influencing B-cell subsets, particularly DN B cells and plasmablasts. Elevated baseline IgG and anti-β2GPI IgG levels may predict a favorable response to telitacicept, and help identify patients who are more likely to benefit from this treatment.
