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Background Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is nowadays a clinical reality as an effective and safe approach to treat systemic sclerosis patients’ refractory to conventional therapy using immune suppressive drugs, although its immune mechanisms are still not completely understood1,2,3. Objectives To evaluate the reconstitution of B-cell subsets in SSc patients following AHSCT. Methods Peripheral blood samples were harvested from twenty-four SSc patients before transplantation and at 30, 60, 120, 180 and 360 days post-AHSCT. The immunophenotyping, regulatory B-cell IL-10 production and suppressive assays were assessed by flow cytometry. Results Compared to baseline, naive B-cells (CD19+CD27-IgD-) significantly decreased in frequency and absolute counts at 30 days post-AHSCT, followed by an increase at 360 days. There was a transient decrease of non-class-switched memory-B-cell (CD19+CD27+IgD+) frequency at 30 days, followed by an increase at 360 days. In addition, mature class-switched memory-B-cells (CD19+CD27+IgD-) and plasma cell (CD19+CD27highIgD-) decreased (P Conclusion Following transplantation, SSc patients displayed increased naive-B-cells values and decreased memory B-cells, which might contribute to self-tolerance reestablishment, disease remission and clinical improvement on these patients. SSc patients showed increases of Breg numbers after AHSCT as well as an increase of IL-10 production, suggesting improvements in immunoregulatory mechanisms. References [1] Burt, et al. Lancet2013:381(9872):1116–24. [2] van Laar, et al. JAMA2014;311(24):2490–8. [3] Sullivan, et al. N Engl J Med2018;378:35–47. Acknowledgement Funding was provided by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). Disclosure of Interests None declared |
