title: Characterization of B-cell subpopulations in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent research suggest that B and plasma cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). The purpose of this study was to subcharacterize the B cell response in the sinus mucosa of control and CRS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Representative tissue samples and peripheral blood samples were obtained from controls, CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and CRSwNP. Using single-cell suspension flow cytometry these samples were analyzed for overall and stage-specific B and plasma cell percentages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both atopic and nonatopic CRSwNP patients showed an increase in local numbers of naive, active, and memory B cells compared to controls. CRSsNP patients only showed local elevations of naive B cells. Plasma cells were only significantly elevated in the sinus tissue of atopic CRSwNP patients. These local tissue increases did not correlate with increased numbers of circulating B cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides further evidence of an important role of B cells in CRSwNP patients. The local increase appears to be independent of a systemic response.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. alkispsaltis@gmail.com
authors: Alkis J
authors: AJ
authors: Psaltis
authors: Rodney J
authors: RJ
authors: Schlosser
authors: James R
authors: JR
authors: Yawn
authors: Oswaldo
authors: O
authors: Henriquez
authors: Jennifer K
authors: JK
authors: Mulligan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
keywords: B cells; B lymphocytes; Chronic rhino sinusitis; Nasal polyps; chronic inflammation; plasma cells; sinusitis