Evolution of pathologic B-cell subsets and serum environment-specific sIgEs in patients with atopic dermatitis and controls, from infancy to adulthood

Abstract

Background: While B-cells have historically been implicated in allergy development, a growing body of evidence supports their role in atopic dermatitis (AD). B-cell differentiation across ages in AD, and its relation to disease severity scores, has not been well defined. Objective: To compare the frequency of B-cell subsets in blood of 0–5, 6–11, 12–17, and ≥18 years old patients with AD versus age-matched controls. Methods: Flow cytometry was used to measure B-cell subset frequencies in the blood of 27 infants, 17 children, 11 adolescents, and 31 adults with moderate-to-severe AD and age-matched controls. IgD/CD27 and CD24/CD38 core gating systems and an 11-color flow cytometry panel were used to determine frequencies of circulating B-cell subsets. Serum total and allergen-specific IgE (sIgEs) levels were measured using ImmunoCAP®. Results: Adolescents with AD had lower frequencies of major B-cells subsets (p