Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation (Jan 2016)

Expression of the leukocyte-associated ig-like receptor-1 on B lymphocytes from systemic lupus erythematosus patients

  • Heba A Esaily,
  • Wafaa M Radwan,
  • Hany S Elbarbary,
  • Azza A Taha

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/1110-161X.189821
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 43, no. 3
pp. 124 – 130

Abstract

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Background The leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin (Ig)-like receptor-1 (LAIR-1) is a transmembrane molecule belonging to the Ig superfamily. In B cells, LAIR-1 cross-linking leads to downregulation of Ig and cytokine production. Aim of the work The aim of the present study was to assess the expression of LAIR-1 on peripheral blood B lymphocyte from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and its correlation with disease manifestations. Patients and methods Twenty-two SLE female patients and 16 matched healthy controls were included in the study. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score was assessed. The expression of LAIR-1 was determined by using flow cytometry. Results The 22 SLE patients had a mean age of 25.59±4.22 years and disease duration of 5–24 months. The mean SLEDAI was 8±1.5. The percentage of CD19+ B lymphocytes lacking LAIR-1 was markedly increased in SLE patients (27.8±10.9%) compared with healthy controls (16.2±4.4%) (P<0.001). The mean fluorescent intensity ratio (MFIR) of LAIR-1 expression on CD19+ B cells was strongly decreased in SLE patients (44.1±12.6) compared with healthy controls (58.9±7.7) (P<0.001). The percentage of CD19+ LAIR-1− B cells significantly correlated with the complement (C4) (r=0.45, P=0.03) and the serum creatinine level (r=0.47, P=0.02), and negatively with the serum albumin level (r=−0.57, P=0.005). The MFIR of LAIR-1 significantly correlated with the serum albumin level (r=0.74, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with the serum creatinine level (r=−0.43, P=0.041). There was no significant association of LAIR− (%) or the MFIR with the clinical manifestations of the patients. Conclusion This study points out that the lack of LAIR-1 expression on B cells from SLE patients could be a trigger for the dysregulation of antibody production in SLE, and is associated with the degree of renal affection as evidenced by the significant correlation with serum creatinine levels and negative correlation with the levels of serum albumin.

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