In Systemic Sclerosis Patients, Peripheral Blood CD21^low B Cells and Serum IL-4 and IL-21 Influence Joint Involvement

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients have an increased frequency of CD21low B cells and of serum interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-21, each possible markers of joint involvement in inflammatory arthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of CD21low B cells, IL-4, and IL-21 on joint involvement in a cohort of 52 SSc patients. The DAS28-ESR was correlated with CD21low B cells (r = 0.452, p p p 3.2 had more CD21low B cells (12.65% (IQR: 7.11–13.79) vs. 5.08% (IQR: 3.76–7.45), p p p p low B cells (OR: 1.301 (95% CI: 1.099; 1.540), p p p p p 3.2. An elevated CD21low B cell percentage, IL-4 level, and IL-21 level was associated with higher articular disease activity in patients, suggesting a possible role in the pathogenesis of SSc joint involvement.

Keywords

• systemic sclerosis
• arthritis
• joint
• DAS28
• IL-4
• IL-21