Introduction: Renal relapses adversely affect the long-term outcomes of patients with lupus nephritis (LN), but the pathogenic mechanisms remain elusive. B cell signatures of miR-148a, BACH1, BACH2, and PAX5 expression are relevant to the regulation of B lymphocyte homeostasis. It is unknown whether B cell signature is related to the relapse of LN. Methods: We compared B lymphocyte subsets and cellular signatures during disease quiescence between LN patients with multiple relapses (MR, ≥3 LN relapses within 36 months) and those with no relapse (NR). Also, circulating B lymphocytes were isolated from treatment-naïve patients with active LN and treated with antagomir-148a in vitro to investigate the relationship between miR-148a, BACH1, BACH2, and PAX5. Results: MR patients (n = 19), when compared with NR (n = 14), showed significantly lower percentage of circulating naïve B cells and higher memory B cell-to-naïve B cell ratio. MR patients also showed higher miR-148a levels in sera and B cells, and lower BACH1, BACH2, and PAX5 expression in naïve and memory B cells. Antagomir-148a upregulated BACH1, BACH2, and PAX5 expression, and reduced B cell proliferation upon stimulation, in naïve and memory B cells isolated from treatment-naïve active LN patients. Conclusion: Altered B cell subsets and cellular signatures of miR-148a, BACH1, BACH2, and PAX5 may be associated with distinct patient phenotypes related to the risk of LN relapse.
CITATION STYLE
Yap, D. Y. H., Yung, S., Lee, P., Yam, I. Y. L., Tam, C., Tang, C., & Chan, T. M. (2020). B Cell Subsets and Cellular Signatures and Disease Relapse in Lupus Nephritis. Frontiers in Immunology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.01732
Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.