Changes of memory B- and T-cell subsets in lupus nephritis patients

• Published in: Folia histochemica et cytobiologica Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 32 - 41
• Main Authors: Kosalka, Joanna, Jakiela, Bogdan, Musial, Jacek
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Poland Wydawnictwo Via Medica 01.01.2016
• Subjects: Abnormalities; Adult; Antibodies; Antigen-antibody complexes; Antigens; Autoimmune diseases; B-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; B-Lymphocyte Subsets - pathology; CCR7 protein; CD27 antigen; CD4 antigen; CD45RA antigen; Chronic conditions; Effector cells; Female; Flow Cytometry; Humans; Immunoglobulin D; Immunoglobulin D - blood; Immunologic Memory - physiology; Immunological memory; Leukocyte Common Antigens - blood; Lupus; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - blood; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - immunology; Lupus nephritis; Lupus Nephritis - blood; Lupus Nephritis - immunology; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes B; Lymphocytes T; Lymphopenia; Lymphopenia - immunology; Male; Memory cells; Middle Aged; Nephritis; Peripheral blood; Phenotypes; Receptors, CCR7 - blood; Receptors, Complement 3d - blood; Systemic lupus erythematosus; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - pathology; Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 - blood; T-cells; B-cells; lupus nephritis; systemic lupus erythematosus; flow cytometry; immune memory
• ISSN: 0239-8508; 1897-5631
• DOI: 10.5603/FHC.a2016.0005

Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with production of antibodies to double stranded DNA, deposition of immune complexes and organ damage. These processes have been linked with abnormalities in B- and T-cell memory compartments. The aim of the study was to analyze subsets of peripheral memory B-cells and T-cells in lupus nephritis (LN) patients. We used multicolor flow cytometry to analyze major memory subsets of peripheral blood B-cells (defined by CD27, IgD and CD21) and T-cells (CD45RA, CD45RO, CCR7) in 32 patients with active or inactive LN, and 23 control subjects. Lupus nephritis patients were characterized by increased percentage of immature/early-transitional B-cells (CD27-IgD+CD21-), higher frequency of activated switched memory (SM, CD27+IgD-CD21-) and exhausted memory B-cells (CD27-IgD-), and decrease in non-switched memory (NSM, CD27+IgD+) B-cells. CD21low subsets (immature and activated B-cells) were particularly expanded in patients with active disease. In both groups of LN patients we observed decline in the absolute count of NSM B-cells. It was paralleled by lymphopenia in naïve CD4+ T-cell compartment and increase in the frequency of effector memory T-cells, and these changes were more pronounced in active LN. B-cell memory compartment in LN is deficient in NSM cells and during active disease it is further skewed towards SM and exhausted memory phenotypes, most likely as a cause of chronic antigenic stimulation. Parallel changes in T-helper cell subsets suggest a similar mechanism of SLE-related lymphopenia for both B-cell and T-cell compartment.