Characterization of IL-10-producing regulatory B cells in thymoma

• Published in: Autoimmunity (Chur, Switzerland) Vol. 55; no. 6; pp. 351 - 359
• Main Authors: Lin, Fangnan, You, Hailong, Cao, Xiwen, Li, Tingting, Hong, Xiaodong, Yang, Jinli, Huo, Peng, Li, Jialin, Liu, Wei, Jiang, Yanfang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 18.08.2022; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: IL-10; immunosuppression; Regulatory B cell; thymoma
• ISSN: 0891-6934; 1607-842X
• DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2022.2093862

Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are a subset of B cells that secrete interleukin 10 (IL-10) and play a vital role in suppressing the immune response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of Bregs in patients with thymoma. The proportions of subgroups of Bregs in 23 patients with thymoma and 15 healthy controls were detected by flow cytometry. The serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and TNF-α levels of the subjects were measured using a cytometric bead array (CBA). The proportions of circulating IL-10 + B cells, IL-10 + CD24 hi CD38 hi Bregs, and IL-10 + CD24 hi CD27 + Bregs and the serum IL-10 level were significantly higher in patients with thymoma than in the control group and were negatively correlated with the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score. The serum levels of cytokines IL-2, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α were higher and serum IL-17A level was lower in patients with thymoma. Patients with advanced-stage thymoma exhibited significantly higher proportions of IL-10-producing Bregs and a higher serum IL-10 level. After tumour resection, the frequency of circulating IL-10 + CD24 hi CD38 hi Bregs and the serum IL-10 level were significantly decreased in patients with thymoma. The serum IL-10 levels exhibited the best accuracy in assessing the risk of thymoma occurrence in this study. The expression of IL-10 produced by Bregs is increased in patients with thymoma, particularly those with advanced-stage disease, which may suggest that Bregs are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of thymoma.