title: Peripheral CD24hi CD27+ CD19+ B cells subset as a potential biomarker in naïve systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  B cells are likely to play critical roles in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our aim was to investigate the role of peripheral CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells in Chinese patients with new-onset SLE.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells were analyzed in 55 new-onset lupus and 36 healthy controls by flow cytometry. All SLE cases were treated with prednisolone and hydroxychloroquine during a 1-year follow-up. Thirteen cases were added with cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil. The CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells were analyzed at days 0, 7, 14 and months 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12. Interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing B cell was detected in eight naïve lupus and 10 healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to healthy controls, the frequency and number of primary circulating CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells was significantly reduced in SLE cases (8.22 ± 3.48% vs. 31.67 ± 5.53%, P < 0.0001; 4.04 ± 2.85 vs. 38.66 ± 10.22 10(3) cells/mL, P = 0.0001) before treatment; IL-10(+) CD19(+) B cells and IL-10(+) CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells also decreased in SLE. Interestingly, primary CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells inversely correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score. Patients with arthritis and hematologic disorders had a lower primary CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells. In 48 SLE cases who finished the 1-year follow-up, the frequency and number of CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells increased from 8.26 ± 3.61% to 25.51 ± 4.56%; 3.99 ± 2.86 to 28.64 ± 11.81 10(3) cells/mm(3) (P < 0.0001), accompanied by a significantly decreased SLEDAI score. Of note, CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells decreased in some flare cases with an elevated SLEDAI score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate that a lower primary CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells may be an immunologic aspect of new-onset SLE. CD24(hi) CD27(+) CD19(+) B cells may be a useful tool to evaluate lupus activity and monitor the response to therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weiqian
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lihuan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000097:blood*; D044466:Asian People; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D051927:CD24 Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018941:Antigens, CD19; D015415:Biomarkers; D051927:CD24 Antigen; C497889:CD24 protein, human; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018127:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7
keywords: CD24hiCD27+CD19+B cells; systemic lupus erythematosus; systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index