title: Decreased expression of interleukin-21 receptor on peripheral B lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is the most recent member of the common gamma-chain-dependent cytokine family. We studied the expression of the IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) on peripheral B lymphocytes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSjS), and healthy controls. Naive B lymphocytes expressed higher levels of IL-21R than memory B lymphocytes and plasmablasts, both in SLE patients and healthy controls. The proportion of IL-21R+ cells in the total peripheral B lymphocytes, as well as those in the respective B lymphocyte subsets, was significantly lower in SLE compared with those of pSjS or healthy controls (p=0.0002 and p<0.0001, respectively, in total B lymphocytes). The decreased expression of IL-21R in SLE was significantly associated with nephritis and high titer anti-double-strand DNA antibody. In some SLE patients, IL-21-induced proliferation of CD19+ B lymphocytes, in the presence of CD40 stimulation, was impaired. The abnormalities of IL-21R signaling might contribute to the pathological features of SLE, such as B lymphocytopenia.
authors.affiliation: Medicine and Biosystemic Science, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 3-1-1, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka city, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mitoma
authors.forename: Takahiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Horiuchi
authors.forename: Yasutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kimoto
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsukamoto
authors.forename: Ayumi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uchino
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tamimoto
authors.forename: Yugo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyagi
authors.forename: Mine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000378:metabolism; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053738:Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit; D007378:Interleukins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009393:Nephritis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / Q000378:metabolism; D000098546:Interleukin-21
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018941:Antigens, CD19; D019013:CD40 Antigens; C508117:IL21R protein, human; D053738:Interleukin-21 Receptor alpha Subunit; D007378:Interleukins; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053655:Receptors, Interleukin-21; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7; D000098546:Interleukin-21