{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: The reduced frequency of CD39+CD73+ B cell subsets in SLE patients is correlated with disease activity.
{Author}: Dong K;Wang Y;Yao Y;Yu W;Xu Z;Chen Y;Geng L;Wang S;
{Journal}: Int Immunopharmacol
{Volume}: 140
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Oct 25
{Factor}: 5.714
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112743
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease characterized by immune mechanisms dysregulation, leading to the production of diverse autoantibodies. However, the immune pathways underlying B-cell function and phenotypic abnormalities related to SLE pathogenesis remain incompletely understood.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To explore new markers of SLE activity and potential targets for SLE immunotherapy.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Collect peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SLE patients and healthy controls (HC). Use flow cytometry to detect CD39 and CD73 expression on B cell subsets and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure adenosine (ADO) concentrations in SLE patients' serum. Compare CD39+CD73+ B cell subsets frequency and ADO concentrations in SLE patients and HC group. Additionally, analyze the correlation between CD39+CD73+ B cell subsets frequency and clinical laboratory parameters.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>CD39 and CD73 are simultaneously highly expressed on CD19+ B cell subsets, with significantly lower frequency of CD39+CD73+ B cell subsets in SLE patients compared to HC group. This frequency negatively correlates with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), C-reactive protein (CRP), and anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies, while positively correlating with IgM and prothrombin time (PT). Additionally, the frequency of CD39+CD73+ B cell subsets is significantly negatively correlated with IL-6 and IFN-α. In vitro cell experiments demonstrate that adenosine significantly inhibits R848-induced inflammatory cytokine production in a dose-dependent manner.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The frequency of CD39+CD73+ B cell subsets of SLE patients is decreased, correlating with clinical laboratory parameters and disease activity. Simultaneously, ADO concentration in the patients' serum is reduced. The CD39+CD73+ B cell/ADO pathway may represent a novel immunotherapy strategy for SLE.