The Imbalance of Circulating Follicular T Helper Cell Subsets in Primary Sjogren's Syndrome Associates With Serological Alterations and Abnormal B-Cell Distribution.

ABSTRACT: Since B-cell hyperactivity and pathologic antibody response are key features in the immunopathogenesis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), the role of follicular T helper (T_FH) cells as efficient helpers in the survival and differentiation of B cells has emerged. Our aim was to investigate whether a change in the balance of circulating (c)T_FH subsets and follicular regulatory T (T_FR) cells could affect the distribution of B cells in pSS. Peripheral blood of 38 pSS patients and 27 healthy controls was assessed for the frequencies of cT_FH cell subsets, T_FR cells, and certain B cell subpopulations by multicolor flow cytometry. Serological parameters, including anti-SSA, anti-SSB autoantibodies, immunoglobulin, and immune complex titers w

SUBMITTER: Szabo K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8018236 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature