Autoreactive B‐lymphocytes in SLE and RA patients: Isolation and characterisation using extractable nuclear and citrullinated antigens bound to immunobeads. Issue 7 (2nd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de la Varga‐Martínez, Raquel; Rodríguez‐Bayona, Beatriz; Campos‐Caro, Antonio; Añez, Gustavo A; Medina‐Varo, Fermín; Rodríguez, Carmen
• Is Part Of: European journal of immunology. Volume 49:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: 1107
• Page End: 1116
• Publication Date: 2019-04-02
• Subjects: B cells -- citrullinated peptide -- rheumatoid arthritis -- systemic lupus erythematosus; Immunology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1002/eji.201848065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-2980

Abstract

Abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis are autoimmune diseases characterised by B‐cell hyperactivation and production of autoantibodies (AutoAbs) against various self‐antigens, including extractable nuclear antigens and citrullinated peptides. Therefore, B lymphocytes and antibody‐secreting cells are considered relevant targets for therapies. However, isolation and characterisation of auto‐reactive specific B lymphocytes are limited, primarily due to technical issues. In this work, we purified extractable nuclear antigen‐specific and citrullinated peptide‐specific auto‐reactive B lymphocytes by magnetic selection with ENA‐ and citrullinated peptide‐bound immunobeads. We obtained blood auto‐reactive B lymphocytes from most patients. Their nature was primarily naïve B cells, some of them in an active status, with low levels of somatic hypermutations in the immunoglobulin heavy‐chain variable regions. Their presence correlated with serum levels of autoAb. Auto‐reactive B lymphocytes were able to differentiate into auto‐reactive antibody‐secreting cells under conditions of stimulation. In addition, based on the presence of circulating auto‐reactive B cells and/or antibody‐secreting cells, four different profiles were described in lupus patients. Thus, tracking auto‐reactive B cells and/or antibody‐secreting cells in patient blood could represent a biomarker for deciding whether to use therapies blocking either B cells, plasma cells or both, as well as a new tool for monitoring minimal residual autoimmune disease in patients. Abstract : A combined strategy for detecting circulating autoreactive B lymphocyte (ABL) and/or antibody secreting cells (ASC) could represent an interesting tool to decide whether to use therapies blocking either B cells, plasma cells or both, as well as a new tool for monitoring minimal residual autoimmune disease.