Frontiers in Immunology (Jul 2021)

Increased Proportion of CD226+ B Cells Is Associated With the Disease Activity and Prognosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

  • Miki Nakano,
  • Masahiro Ayano,
  • Masahiro Ayano,
  • Kazuo Kushimoto,
  • Shotaro Kawano,
  • Kazuhiko Higashioka,
  • Shoichiro Inokuchi,
  • Hiroki Mitoma,
  • Yasutaka Kimoto,
  • Mitsuteru Akahoshi,
  • Nobuyuki Ono,
  • Yojiro Arinobu,
  • Koichi Akashi,
  • Takahiko Horiuchi,
  • Hiroaki Niiro

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.713225
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

Read online

BackgroundCD226, an activating receptor expressed on the surface of natural killer (NK) cells and T cells, is also seen on B cells and CD226 polymorphism is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Because the specific roles of CD226+ B cells in SLE are still unknown, we investigated the association of CD226+ B cells with SLE.MethodsWe measured CD226 expression on B cells and its subsets using flow cytometry in 48 SLE patients and 24 healthy controls (HCs). We assessed the relationships between CD226+ B cells and SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K), clinical manifestations, laboratory data, and prognosis after 12 months.ResultsThe proportions of CD226+ cells in whole B cells and all its subsets were significantly higher in SLE patients than HCs. In SLE patients, the proportions of CD226+ B cells and CD226+ switched-memory (SM) B cells were significantly correlated with SLEDAI-2K scores and anti-dsDNA antibody titers, and negatively correlated with serum complement levels. Moreover, basal percentages of CD226+ B cells and CD226+ SM B cells were low in patients who were in Lupus Low Disease Activity State after 12 months. In patients with renal involvement, the proportion of CD226+ B cells increased. Additionally, the proportion of CD226+ B cells was higher in patients who were not in complete renal remission after 12 months.ConclusionsIncreased proportion of CD226+ B cells was associated with disease activity and prognosis of SLE. CD226+ B cells may be a useful biomarker for the management of SLE.

Keywords