Peripheral CD24hi CD27+ CD19+ B cells subset as a potential biomarker in naïve systemic lupus erythematosus
Lin Jin1, Chen Weiqian, Yue Lihuan
1Department of Rheumatology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
Insights
Peripheral CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells are significantly reduced in new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. These B cells may serve as a biomarker for evaluating lupus activity and treatment response.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- B cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
- The specific subset of CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells warrants investigation in new-onset SLE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role and clinical significance of peripheral CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells in Chinese patients with new-onset SLE.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells in 55 new-onset SLE patients and 36 healthy controls.
- Patients were followed for 1 year with treatment, and B cell counts and IL-10 production were assessed.
- SLE disease activity was evaluated using the SLEDAI score.
Main Results:
- A significantly lower frequency and number of circulating CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells were observed in new-onset SLE patients compared to healthy controls.
- These B cells inversely correlated with SLEDAI scores, and were lower in patients with arthritis and hematologic disorders.
- Following treatment, the frequency and number of CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells increased, accompanied by a decreased SLEDAI score.
Conclusions:
- Reduced primary CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells represent an immunologic characteristic of new-onset SLE.
- CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells show potential as a biomarker for assessing lupus activity and monitoring therapeutic response.
Aim:
B cells are likely to play critical roles in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our aim was to investigate the role of peripheral CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells in Chinese patients with new-onset SLE.
Method:
Peripheral CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells were analyzed in 55 new-onset lupus and 36 healthy controls by flow cytometry. All SLE cases were treated with prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine during a 1-year follow-up. Thirteen cases were added with cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil. The CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells were analyzed at days 0, 7, 14 and months 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12. Interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing B cell was detected in eight naïve lupus and 10 healthy controls.
Results:
Compared to healthy controls, the frequency and number of primary circulating CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells was significantly reduced in SLE cases (8.22 ± 3.48% vs. 31.67 ± 5.53%, P < 0.0001; 4.04 ± 2.85 vs. 38.66 ± 10.22 10(3) cells/mL, P = 0.0001) before treatment; IL-10(+) CD19(+) B cells and IL-10(+) CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells also decreased in SLE. Interestingly, primary CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells inversely correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score. Patients with arthritis and hematologic disorders had a lower primary CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells. In 48 SLE cases who finished the 1-year follow-up, the frequency and number of CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells increased from 8.26 ± 3.61% to 25.51 ± 4.56%; 3.99 ± 2.86 to 28.64 ± 11.81 10(3) cells/mm(3) (P < 0.0001), accompanied by a significantly decreased SLEDAI score. Of note, CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells decreased in some flare cases with an elevated SLEDAI score.
Conclusion:
These results demonstrate that a lower primary CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells may be an immunologic aspect of new-onset SLE. CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells may be a useful tool to evaluate lupus activity and monitor the response to therapy.
