Similar CD19 dysregulation in two autoantibody-associated autoimmune diseases suggests a shared mechanism of B-cell tolerance loss

J Clin Immunol. 2007 Jan;27(1):53-68. doi: 10.1007/s10875-006-9051-1. Epub 2006 Dec 29.

Abstract

: We report here that dysregulation of CD19, a coreceptor that augments B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling, occurs at two B-cell differentiative stages in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA) associated small vessel vasculitis (SVV). The naïve B cells of nearly all SLE and ANCA-SVV patients express approximately 20% less CD19 than healthy control (HC) B cells. In contrast, a subset of memory B cells of some SLE and ANCA-SVV Pts (25-35%) express two to fourfold more CD19 than HC B cells. These CD19(hi) memory B cells are activated and exhibit evidence of antigen selection. Proteome array analysis of 67 autoantigens indicates that CD19(hi) SLE Pts exhibit a distinct autoantibody profile characterized by high levels of antibodies to small nuclear ribonucleoproteins and low levels of antiglomerular autoantibodies. These findings have implications for autoreactive B-cell activation and suggest a shared mechanism of B-cell tolerance loss in these two diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / immunology*
  • Antigens, CD19 / immunology*
  • Autoantibodies / analysis
  • Autoimmune Diseases*
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Glomerulonephritis / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology*
  • Lupus Nephritis / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Protein Array Analysis / methods
  • Vasculitis / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic
  • Antigens, CD19
  • Autoantibodies