Clinical features and lymphocyte subtypes in patients with IgG 4-related diseases
10.3760/cma.j.cn112138-20231103-00291
- VernacularTitle:IgG 4相关性疾病的临床特征及淋巴细胞亚型分析
- Author:
Liping GUO
1
;
Weirong WANG
;
Jiangpeng LIU
;
Bangmao WANG
;
Lu ZHOU
Author Information
1. 天津医科大学总医院消化内科，天津 300052
- Keywords:
Immunoglobulins;
Lymphocytes;
IgG 4-related disease;
Subtypes
- From:
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine
2024;63(4):394-400
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To deepen understanding of IgG 4-related diseases (RDs), we analyzed the associated lymphocyte subtypes, and explored the pathogenesis and potential immunotherapeutic targets. Methods:Eighty-six patients with IgG 4-RDs were enrolled, and their clinical characteristics, peripheral lymphocyte subtypes, and disease course were analyzed. Results:The mean age of the participants was 36-87(62±11) years; 51 were male (59.3%) and 35 were women (40.7%); and 34.9% had a history of allergy. Follow-up lasted 4.8 (0.4, 14.1) months. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain, and submandibular gland and lacrimal gland swelling (each 20.9%). Sixty-five (75.6%) participants had multiple organ involvement, and the most frequently affected organs were the pancreas (52.3%), submandibular gland (51.2%), and lacrimal gland (34.9%). A high eosinophil count; high IgE, IgG, IgG 1, and IgG 4 concentrations; and low complement C3 and C4 concentrations were present in 18.8% (16/85), 30.0% (24/80), 72.9% (62/85), 58.3% (28/48), 89.5% (77/86), 61.2% (52/85), and 50.0% (42/84), respectively, of the participants. In addition, 64.7% (55/85) were positive for autoantibodies, and the most frequent was anti-nuclear antibody (63.5%). The proportion of CD4 +T lymphocytes increased in 25.7% (9/35) of the participants, which was accompanied by an increase in the ratio of CD4 +/CD8 +T lymphocytes (22.9%, 8/35). Importantly, most participants (90.0%, 18/20) had a high proportion of regulatory T (Treg) cells. High interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and IL-10 concentrations were present in 50.0% (11/22), 33.3% (10/30), and 16.7% (5/30), respectively, of the participants. Substantial lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, fibrosis, IgG 4-positive plasma cell infiltration, and lymphoid follicle hyperplasia or ectopic formation were present in 79.2% (42/53), 67.9%(36/53), 35.8%(19/53) and 30.2% (16/53), respectively, of the participants. Fifty-three participants with detailed pathologic data were also further evaluated, of whom 24.5% (13/53), 3.8% (2/53), and 67.9% (36/53) had definite, probable, and possible diagnoses; and 3.8% (2/53) could not be diagnosed. Compared with baseline, the percentage of eosinophils and the IgE, IgG, and IgG 4 concentrations decreased significantly; and the complement C3 and C4 concentrations had increased significantly after 6 months of treatment (all P<0.05). The IgG 4 concentration after 6 months of treatment negatively correlated with that of C4, and positively correlated with the baseline concentration of IgE and the IgG 4/IgG ratio. Conclusion:IgG 4-RDs are a group of diseases characterized by male predisposition; multiple organ involvement; a high eosinophil count; high IgE, IgG, IgG 1, and IgG 4 concentrations; and a low C3 concentration. Peripheral CD4 +T cells and Treg cells are also more abundant. The diseases can be controlled with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive drugs in the majority of instances. The IgG 4 concentration after 6 months of treatment negatively correlates with the baseline complement C4 concentration and positively correlates with the IgE concentration and IgG 4/IgG ratio, which suggests that IgG 4/IgG, IgE, and complement should be closely monitored to evaluate disease activity and the efficacy of treatment in such patients.
