Decreased level of IL-10-producing B cells in patients with pemphigus but not with pemphigoid

Abstract

Background

hile the frequency of IL-10-producing B cells (B10 cells) is reported to have an inverse correlation with disease activity in some human autoimmune diseases, the association between B10 cells and autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBD) has not been well-evaluated. Although several phenotypes of human regulatory B cells have been proposed, the most appropriate one was not established.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate B10 cells in AIBD including their phenotypes.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 39 patients with AIBD, including 14 pemphigus and 25 pemphigoid patients, and 10 healthy controls. We investigated the frequencies of B10 cells and CD19⁺CD24^hiCD38^hi B cells using flow cytometry.

Results

The frequencies of B10 cells and CD19⁺CD24^hiCD38^hi B cells were significantly lower and higher, respectively, in patients with pemphigus compared with healthy controls. Comparing patients with pemphigoid and healthy controls, no significant difference in the frequencies of B10 cells and CD19⁺CD24^hiCD38^hi B cells was observed. B10 cell level in pemphigus was not associated with disease severity but inversely correlated with the required dosage of steroid for treatment. While no significant difference in the frequency of IL-10-producing cells among CD19⁺CD24^hiCD38^hi B cells was observed, in CD9⁺ and CD27^- B cell subsets, it was significantly decreased in patients with pemphigus compared with healthy controls.

Conclusion

Our results suggest the association of B10 cells with pemphigus but not with pemphigoid. The decrease in B10 cell level in pemphigus is partly caused by the lower production of IL-10 in CD9⁺ and CD27^- B cell subsets.

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