Analysis of B cell subsets in rhumatoid arthritis patients and the effect of epigallocatechingallate on B cell subsets
10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2019.08.011
- Author:
Fang-Qian CHEN
1
Author Information
1. Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University College of Basic Medical Sciences
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
B cell subsets;
B-cell-activating factor receptor (BAFF-R);
Epigallocatechingallate (EGCG);
Regulatory B cell (Breg);
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- From:
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science)
2019;39(8):873-880
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the characteristics of B cell subsets in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and the regulation of epigallocatechingallate (EGCG) on B cell subsets in RA patients. Methods:Twenty-nine age- and sex-matched RA patients and 29 healthy controls were selected, and the difference of B cell subsets in peripheral blood between the two groups was analyzed by paired t-test. According to the value of disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28), RA patients were divided into active group (2.6 ≤ DAS28 < 5.1) and highly active group (DAS28 ≥ 5.1). The differences of B cell subsets in peripheral blood between the two groups were analyzed by t test. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured in vitro under co-stimulation of 0, 10, 100 μmol/L EGCG and 2.5 μg/L staphylococcal protein A. The expression level of B-cell-activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) mRNA was detected by real-time PCR after 24 h, and B cell subsets were detected by flow cytometry after 48 h. Results:The numbers and the proportions of total B cells, undifferentiated B cells, memory B cells and plasmablasts in lymphocytes of RA patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (P<0.05), which of CD19+ IL-10+ regulatory B cells (Breg) of RA patients were not significantly different from those of healthy controls (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the numbers and the proportions of total B cells and B cell subsets (except CD19+ IL-10+ Breg) between 10 RA patients of active group and 19 RA patients of highly active group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the number and the proportion of CD19+ IL-10+ Breg in lymphocytes between 6 RA patients of active group and 12 RA patients of highly active group (P>0.05). The proportion of total B cells was weakly positively correlated with IgG type rheumatoid factor (r=0.308). EGCG could significantly increase the proportion of CD19+ IL-10+ Breg (P<0.05) and 100 μmol/L EGCG could significantly suppress the expression of BAFF-R mRNA in B cells (P=0.000). However, it had no significant effect on the proportions of undifferentiated B cells, memory B cells and plasmablasts in lymphocytes (P>0.05). Conclusion:B cells may play an auxiliary role in the development of RA. The number of CD19+ IL-10+ Breg in RA patients increases as a feedback. EGCG can promote Breg proliferation and suppress BAFF-R mRNA expression.
