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Natural killer-like B cells promote Th17 cell differentiation and exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis

Natural killer-like B cells promote Th17 cell differentiation and exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis

Authors :
Ping Wang
Jing Song
Mingxin Bai
Xi Zheng
Yang Xie
Yundi Tang
Xin Li
Xiangyu Fang
Yuan Jia
Limin Ren
Hua Ye
Yin Su
Shuo Wang
Zhanguo Li
Fanlei Hu
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 2021.

Abstract

B cells are important participants in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Besides classical B cells, novel B cell subsets are continually to be identified in recent years. Natural killer-like B (NKB) cells, a newly recognized B cell subset, are proved to be actively involved in the anti-infection immunity. However, their role in RA and the potential mechanism remain elusive. Here, we showed that NKB cells were expanded dramatically in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice, demonstrating dynamic changes during the disease progression. These cells promoted CD4+ effector T cell proliferation and Th17 cell differentiation in vitro, while adoptive transfer of these cells exacerbated the arthritis severity of CIA mice. RNA Sequencing revealed that NKB cells displayed distinct differential gene expression profile under RA circumstance, potential perpetuating the disease progression. Moreover, the frequencies of NKB cells were significantly increased in RA patients, positively correlated with the clinical and immunological features. After effective therapy, these cells could be recovered to normal levels. Taken together, our results preliminarily revealed the pathogenic role of NKB cells in RA by promoting Th17 proinflammatory responses. Targeting these cells might provide potential therapeutic strategies for this persistent disease.

Details

Database :
OpenAIRE
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........70e180b0479f7fa41ecb00b5ad61e307
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.10.27.466096