Impaired regulatory function and enhanced intrathecal activation of B cells in neuromyelitis optica: distinct from multiple sclerosis.
Quan C, Yu H, Qiao J, Xiao B, Zhao G, Wu Z, Li Z, Lu C.
Source
Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The effective treatment of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) with rituximab has suggested an important role for B cells in NMO pathogenesis.
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the antibody-independent function of B cells in NMO and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
METHODS:
Fifty-one NMO patients and 42 RRMS patients in an acute relapse phase and 37 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in the study. The B cell expression of B cell activating factor receptor (BAFF-R), CXCR5 and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), the B cell production of interleukin (IL)-10 and interferon (IFN)-? and the proportion of circulating memory and CD19(+)CD24(high)CD38(high) regulatory B cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of BAFF and CXCL13 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
RESULTS:
The CD19(+)CD24(high)CD38(high) regulatory B cell levels and the B cell expression of IL-10 were significantly lower in NMO patients than in RRMS patients and the HC. In aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab)-positive NMO patients, the B cell IL-10 production and CD19(+)CD24(high)CD38(high) regulatory B cell levels were even lower than in AQP4-ab-negative NMO patients. The CSF BAFF and CXCL13 levels were significantly higher in NMO patients than in patients with RRMS and other non-inflammatory neurologic diseases (ONDs).
CONCLUSIONS:
The immuno-regulatory properties of B cells are significantly impaired in NMO patients and particularly in AQP4-ab-positive NMO patients. The elevated CSF levels of BAFF and CXCL13 in NMO suggest an en
Read More: Impaired regulatory function and enhanced intrath… [Mult Scler. 2012] – PubMed – NCBI