title: The human immunomodulatory CD25+ B cell population belongs to the memory B cell pool.
abstract: We have shown that human CD20(+)25(+) B cells display immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate if CD25(+) B cells are found within the CD27 memory B cell population, and to analyse pattern of their cytokine production. B cells isolated from healthy subjects, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients were analysed regarding the frequency of CD25(+) B cells within certain B cell subsets. Purified CD25(+) B cells from healthy subject were used in vitro to evaluate their production of immunomodulatory cytokines. In healthy subjects the majority (60%) of memory B cells (CD20(+)27(+)) also co-expressed CD25 while only 10-20% of the naïve B cells (CD20(+)27(-)) and plasmablasts (CD20-27(+)) expressed CD25. In RA and SLE patients, we found that 51% and 48%, respectively, co-expressed CD25 in the memory population, whereas only 11% and 9% co-expressed CD25 in the naïve B cell population. Phenotypic analysis of the CD20(+)25(+)27(+) and CD20(+)25(+)27(-) cells using CD10, CD24, CD38, CD45, CD71, CD80, CD86, CD95, CD138, BAFF-R, TACI, IgA, IgD, IgG and IgM showed that CD20(+)25(+)27(+) B cells preferentially represent highly activated, Ig class switched memory B cells. Cytokine profile analysis showed that CD25(+) B cells secreted significantly higher levels of IL-10 versus CD25(-) B cells. In contrast, TGF-beta1 secretion was similar between the CD25(+) and CD25(-) sub-populations. In conclusion, CD20(+)25(+) B cells constitute a unique subpopulation preferentially occurring among CD20(+)27(+) memory B cells. We suggest that CD25 can be used as a marker for a memory B cell subset.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden;Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and German Centre for Rheumatic Research, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amu
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden;Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and German Centre for Rheumatic Research, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarkowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden;Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and German Centre for Rheumatic Research, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dörner
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden;Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and German Centre for Rheumatic Research, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bokarewa
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden;Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and German Centre for Rheumatic Research, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brisslert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7