title: CD25-expressing B-lymphocytes in rheumatic diseases.
abstract: B cells play an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases due to their production of autoantibodies, antigen-presenting capacity and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The purpose of the present study was to analyse B cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, with respect to their expression of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) subunit CD25. Using flow cytometry, we found that CD25(+) B cells from RA patients expressed significantly higher frequencies of CD122 and CD132 than CD25(+) B cells from control subjects, indicating a fully functional IL-2R. These CD25(+) B cells also expressed higher frequencies of the co-stimulatory molecule CD80, whereas IgM and IgA expression was decreased compared with CD25(+) B cells from healthy controls. In addition B cells from SLE patients co-expressed CD25 together with CD80, CD122, and CD132, but to a lower degree IgD and IgM, when compared with healthy controls. Taken together, our results indicate that CD25(+) B cells from RA and SLE patients are in a highly activated state, display a more mature phenotype and suggest that this B cell subset may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA and SLE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Inflammations Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amu
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Strömberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bokarewa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarkowski
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brisslert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D053631:Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit / Q000032:analysis; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000032:analysis*; D053646:Interleukin-2 Receptor beta Subunit / Q000032:analysis; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D053631:Interleukin Receptor Common gamma Subunit; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D053646:Interleukin-2 Receptor beta Subunit