Cartilage destruction in early rheumatoid arthritis patients correlates with CD21^-/low double-negative B cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Involvement of B cells in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is supported by the presence of disease-specific autoantibodies and the efficacy of treatment directed against B cells. B cells that express low levels of or lack the B cell receptor (BCR) co-receptor CD21, CD21^-/low B cells, have been linked to autoimmune diseases, including RA. In this study, we characterized the CD21⁺ and CD21^-/low B cell subsets in newly diagnosed, early RA (eRA) patients and investigated whether any of the B cell subsets were associated with autoantibody status, disease activity and/or joint destruction.

Methods

Seventy-six eRA patients and 28 age- and sex-matched healthy donors were recruited. Multiple clinical parameters were assessed, i

SUBMITTER: Thorarinsdottir K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10789032 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature