Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice
Published on: June 6, 2025
Polymorphonuclear Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Promote Rheumatoid Arthritis by Inducing Age-Associated B Cells
Huiming Hong1, Yanan Wang1, Shuping Yan1
1Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
None:
In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there is a marked elevation of both polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) and age-associated B cells (ABCs) within affected joints, which are closely associated with the progression of disease. However, the interactions between these cell types remain poorly understood. This study seeks to elucidate the regulatory influence of PMN-MDSCs on ABCs and to uncover the underlying mechanisms, thereby providing novel insights into the pathogenesis of RA and identifying potential therapeutic targets. We observed increased frequencies of both PMN-MDSCs and ABCs in the joints and spleens of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model, with a strong positive correlation specifically in joint tissues. RNA sequencing of CD11c+ B cells derived from CIA mice revealed distinct pro-inflammatory and chemotactic profiles. In vitro, PMN-MDSCs enhanced T-bet expression in CD11c+ B cells and drove ABCs differentiation, independent of direct cell contact. B-cell activating factor (BAFF) was found to support ABCs proliferation and differentiation. Mechanistically, BAFF derived from PMN-MDSCs activated the SYK-ERK1/2 signaling pathway via the BAFF receptor (BAFFr), leading to upregulation of T-bet expression in CD11c+ B cells. SYK inhibitor ameliorated arthritis symptoms and reduced ABCs populations across tissues. And patients with RA exhibited increased PMN-MDSCs and ABCs in both blood and synovial fluid (SF), with a significant correlation between the two cell types. Furthermore, PMN-MDSCs derived from RA patients facilitated the differentiation of ABCs in vitro. These findings highlight the role of PMN-MDSCs in driving RA inflammation by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of ABCs through the BAFF-mediated SYK-ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
MAPK Signaling Cascades
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Abnormal Proliferation
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...