Peripheral blood subpopulations of Bregs producing IL‐35 in women with endometriosis

• Published in: American journal of reproductive immunology (1989) Vol. 89; no. 3; pp. e13675 - n/a
• Main Authors: Slawek, Anna, Lorek, Daria, Kedzierska, Anna Ewa, Kubik, Paulina, Pajak, Jaroslaw, Chrobak, Agnieszka, Chelmonska‐Soyta, Anna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2023
• Subjects: B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; B10 cells; Cell proliferation; Cytokines - metabolism; Endometriosis; Endometriosis - metabolism; Endometrium; Female; Flow cytometry; Humans; immature B‐cells; interleukin 35; Interleukin-10 - metabolism; Lymphocytes B; Pathogenesis; Peripheral blood; plasmablasts; regulatory B‐cells; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - metabolism; endometriosis; immature B-cells; plasmablasts; regulatory B-cells; interleukin 35; B10 cells
• ISSN: 1046-7408; 1600-0897
• DOI: 10.1111/aji.13675

Problem Interleukin 35 (IL‐35) is involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis by suppressing immunoreaction and promoting endometrial cell proliferation. It may also be an essential cytokine in forming the immunosuppressive functions of regulatory B lymphocytes (Bregs). The involvement of Bregs in the pathogenesis of endometriosis has not been previously investigated. In this study, we determined the frequencies of different Breg subpopulations, namely, B10, immature B‐cells, and plasmablasts, and their abilities to produce IL‐35 in women with endometriosis compared to healthy women. Methods The frequencies of different subpopulations of Bregs producing IL‐35 were measured in the peripheral blood of women with endometriosis (total pool), women with deep infiltration endometriosis (DIE), women with ovarian endometriosis, and healthy women as a control by flow cytometry. Results We observed a decrease in the percentage of B10 cells and plasmablasts in women with endometriosis and an increase in the percentage of these Breg populations producing IL‐35 in the same experimental group. Interestingly, we also revealed that women with DIE had increased percentages of B10 cells and plasmablasts producing IL‐35. Conclusion Taken together, our findings are the first to reveal the frequencies of different subpopulations of Bregs producing IL‐35 in women with endometriosis. The results suggest that IL‐35 expression in B lymphocytes could be used as a peripheral marker of endometriosis; however, further studies are needed.