B cells expressing CD5 are increased in Sjögren's syndrome.
In this investigation of B cells expressing the CD5 (Leu-1) cell surface marker, we found increased numbers of these cells in 13 of 19 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) (68%), as well as in the rheumatoid arthritis patients. The percentage of B cells that demonstrated increased expression of CD5 was 46% in SS patients, 47% in rheumatoid arthritis patients, 24% in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, and 26% in normal subjects. Over a 2-year period, CD5 expression on B cells was a stable finding in several patients, except for 2 who required either steroid therapy or combined chemotherapy and irradiation for malignant lymphoma. Both of these patients had clinical remissions and their levels of CD5+ B cells returned to normal. The first patient had a clinical picture of SS/systemic lupus erythematosus overlap, associated with polyclonal B cell activation and decreased production of interleukin-2 in response to stimulation with phytohemagglutinin. These cellular immune abnormalities returned to normal after the institution of corticosteroids. Our observations suggest a relationship between the CD5+ B cell abnormality and disease activity. The results are discussed in relation to immunoregulatory properties of CD5+ B cells in autoimmune mice and the characteristic predisposition to malignant lymphoma among SS patients.
Dauphinée
M
M
Clinical Immunology Section, Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital, San Antonio, Texas.
Tovar
Z
Z
Talal
N
N
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013365:Submandibular Gland Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte