PD-L1+ Regulatory B Cells Are Significantly Decreased in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and Increase After Successful Treatment

ACOSTA, CRISTINA D. V.

Frontiers in Immunology

Frontiers

Año: 2018 vol. 9

ackground: It has been demonstrated that B cells play an important role in the development and maintenance of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although IL-10?producing B cells represent a major subset of regulatory B cells (Bregs) able to suppress autoimmune and inflammatory responses, recent reports showed that B-cell mediated immune suppression independent of IL-10 may also occurs. For instance, B cells can modulate T cell immune responses through the expression of regulatory molecules such as PD-L1. So far, PD-L1-expressing B cells have not been analyzed in RA patients.Objective: To analyze the frequency of PD-L1-expressing B cells in peripheral blood of RA patients compared to sex and age matched healthy controls (HC), their function on T cell response and their changes in response to therapy.Methods: Fresh peripheral blood B cells from RA patients and HC were characterized by flow cytometry and their functionality was assessed in a co-culture system with autologous T cells.Results: The