Dynamics of changes in B1 and B2 lymphocyte populations in articular form of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Immunopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by polyclonal activation of B lymphocytes, changes in their subpopulation composition, impaired peripheral tolerance, increased activation and differentiation of B cells, as well as deficient negative selection. Peripheral blood phenotypes of B1 and B2 lymphocytes, their correlation and response patterns in seronegative variant of articular RA type A decrease in B1 lymphocytes along with increased degree of clinical activity and duration of RA has been revealed. B2 lymphocytes remained the predominant subpopulation in peripheral blood. The studied parameters of B2 lymphocytes in the patients with disease duration of up to 5 years and more were higher than the data obtained in a control group. However, no significant changes in their dynamics were revealed upon comparative analysis. With increasing degree of clinical activity, the decreased activation potential of B2 lymphocytes was revealed, along with reduction of costimulatory signal transmission via the CD40/CD40L complex. Hence, detection of B1 and B2 lymphocytes in various types of RA may be used as diagnostic and prognostic markers.

Keywords

• seronegative rheumatoid arthritis
• b1 cells
• b2 cells
• co-stimulating molecules
• flow cytometry