Children with chronic renal failure have reduced numbers of memory B cells.
Reduced serum IgG and subclass levels have been demonstrated in children with chronic renal failure. To study possible causes of this reduction, we analysed B cell subset composition, T helper cell frequencies and immunoglobulin (Ig) production capacity in vitro in children with chronic renal failure, with or without dialysis treatment. B cell subsets were characterized by determining CD27, IgM, IgD and CD5 expression within the CD19(+) population. Intracellular expression of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 in PMA/ionomycin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was used to evaluate T helper frequencies. The capacity of B cells to secrete Ig in vitro was determined by measuring IgG(1), IgG(2) and IgM in culture supernatants of anti-CD2/CD28 monoclonal antibody (MoAb)- or SAC/IL-2-stimulated PBMC. Memory B cell numbers (identified as percentage or absolute number of CD19(+) IgM-IgD- or CD19(+)CD27(+) lymphocytes) were lower in children treated with haemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD) and children with chronic renal failure before starting dialysis treatment (CRF) compared to healthy controls (HC) (P < 0.05). Compared with HC, CD5(+) (naive) B cells were reduced in HD-treated patients but not for PD or for children with chronic renal failure before starting dialysis treatment (CRF). No significant differences in CD4(+) T helper cell subsets were found between the groups. However, CRF children had a higher percentage of IFN-gamma producing CD8(+) T lymphocytes compared to HC (P = 0.02). Finally, IgG(1), IgG(2) and IgM production in vitro was similar in the four groups. In conclusion, significantly lower numbers of memory type B cells were found in children with chronic renal failure compared to healthy controls. This reduction may contribute to the low Ig levels found in these children.
Bouts
A H M
AH
Emma Children's Hospital, Department of Experimental Immunology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. A.H.Bouts@amc.uva.nl
Davin
J C
JC
Krediet
R T
RT
Monnens
L A H
LA
Nauta
J
J
Schröder
C H
CH
van Lier
R A W
RA
Out
T A
TA
D000293:Adolescent; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D018956:CD5 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7