Relationship between CD5+ B lymphocytes and the activity of systemic autoimmunity.
We studied the relationship between CD5+ B cells and the activity of the disease process in patients with autoimmune diseases. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), levels of CD5+ B cells were associated with autoantibody production as determined by serum rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies. In addition, CD5+ B cells were significantly correlated with C-reactive protein, and data from longitudinal studies showed a marked influence of corticosteroid treatment on numbers of CD5+ B cells. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) had slightly elevated levels of CD5+ B cells as compared with normals, but a close association with measures of an active disease was not observed. In a group of patients with type I diabetes mellitus, CD5+ B cells were detected in patients with anti-islet cell antibodies. Our results suggest that CD5+ B cells are related to the activity of the autoimmune process and can be modulated by therapy in patients with RA. Although CD5+ B cells do not seem to have a major role in SLE, polyclonal activation might affect this B cell subset as well in this disease. Further studies are needed to define the precise role of CD5+ B cells in organ-specific autoimmunity.
III. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universität Giessen, Federal Republic of Germany.
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Becker
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Storch
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Federlin
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018951:Antigens, CD20; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D002097:C-Reactive Protein