J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2007 Sep;14(3):219-226. 10.4078/jkra.2007.14.3.219.

Characterization of FSC(high) Memory B Cells from Patients with Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• Jhun JY
• Kim YJ
• Ju JH
• Park SH
• Chang SH
• Kim HY

• KMID: 2202170
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jkra.2007.14.3.219

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine phenotypic and functional characteristics of memory B cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
METHODS
The percentage of memory B cell subsets in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal control (n=11), inactive (n=15) and active (n=10) SLE patients was determined by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS). In addition, the activation status of memory B cells was measured by the surface expression of CD86 (B7-2). The production of antibodies to chromatin and dsDNA (IgG and IgM type) by isolated memory B cell subsets was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
RESULTS
In this study, we analyzed 2 subtypes of memory B cells: FSC (Forward Side Scatter)(low) and FSC(high) memory B cell. The percentage of both subtypes from active and inactive SLE patients was significantly reduced compared to that of normal controls (p<0.01). In addition, the expression of activation markers, CD86 on FSC(high) memory B cells from active SLE patients was higher than those of inactive SLE patients and normal controls (p=0.014). Upon stimulation with CpG and IL-15 in vitro for 8 days, isolated FSC(high) memory B cells from active SLE patients revealed augmented production of autoantibodies to chromatin and dsDNA.
CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that abnormally activated FSC(high) memory B cells from active SLE patients might be involved in spontaneous production of autoantibodies and induce transition from inactive to active phase of the patients.

Keyword

Systemic lupus erythematosus; Anti nuclear autoantibodies; Memory B cell CD86 (B7-2); CPG

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Autoantibodies
B-Lymphocyte Subsets
B-Lymphocytes*
Chromatin
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Fluorescence
Humans
Immunoglobulin M
Interleukin-15
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
Memory*
Antibodies
Autoantibodies
Chromatin
Immunoglobulin M
Interleukin-15

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Frequency of B cell subsets in human PBMC CD19+, CD27- naïve B cells, CD19+, CD27+ memory B cell, and CD19, CD27++ plasma cells were determined in patients with active and inactive SLE and in healthy controls by flow cytometric analysis using 2 different gates; Lymphocyte gate (FSClow) and monocyte gate (FSChigh).

• 

  Fig. 2A. CD86 expression on the memory, naïve and plasma cells from normal control and inactive lupus patients. one of three independent experiments is shown.

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  Fig. 2B. CD86 expression on the memory, naïve and plasma cells from normal control and active lupus patients. one of three independent experiments is shown.

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  Fig. 3. Autoantibody production by FSC g memory B cells stimulated with CpG and IL-15 for 8 days in vitro each histogram shows the mean results obtained from each group. ∗(normal healthy supernatant).

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