Peripheral CD19hi B cells exhibit activated phenotype and functionality in promoting IgG and IgM production in human autoimmune diseases

Sci Rep. 2017 Oct 24;7(1):13921. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-14089-2.

Abstract

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and pemphigus are two representative autoimmune diseases driven by pathogenic autoantibody systemically and organ-specifically, respectively. Given the involvement of antibody in the pathogenesis, B cells are inclined to differentiate and function in an abnormal activation model. Here we defined a unique CD19hi B cell population existing in the periphery of SLE and pemphigus patients as well as in human tonsils. CD19hi B cells could be induced in vitro after co-culturing fully activated CD4+ T cells with autologous B cells. They expressed high levels of HLA-DR, IgG, IgM and multiple ligands of costimulatory molecules with the capacity to produce extra IgG and IgM. Transcirptome assay revealed that genes involved in B-cell activation and differentiation were up-regulated in CD19hi B cells. Antibody blockade experiments showed that the interactions between costimulatory molecules contributed to CD19hi B-cell generation and IgG/IgM production. What is more, frequencies of peripheral CD19hi B cells from SLE and pemphigus patients were correlated with serum total IgG and IgM, but not with autoantigen-specific antibodies and disease severity. Therefore, our investigation demonstrates that CD19hi B cells might contain B cell precursors for terminal differentiation and contribute to total IgG/IgM production in human autoimmune diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD19 / metabolism*
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis*
  • Immunoglobulin M / biosynthesis*
  • Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / immunology*
  • Phenotype*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M