%0 Journal Article
%T The Characteristics and Significance of Locally Infiltrating B Cells in Lupus Nephritis and Their Association with Local BAFF Expression
%A Chuan-Yin Sun
%A Yan Shen
%A Xiao-Wei Chen
%A Yu-Cheng Yan
%A Feng-Xia Wu
%A Ming Dai
%A Ting Li
%A Cheng-De Yang
%J International Journal of Rheumatology
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/954292
%X Introduction. Dysfunction of the B lymphocyte is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN). Intrarenal B cells have been found in several forms of inflammatory kidney disease. B-cell activating factor (BAFF) regulates B lymphocyte proliferation and survival, and contributes to human autoimmune disease. Their role in renal inflammation is not well defined. Methods. Clinical parameters and renal biopsies from 62£¿LN patients were prospectively analyzed. We performed standard immunohistochemistry on serial paraffin tissue sections using monoclonal antibodies to CD20 and BAFF to investigate the characteristics and significance of locally infiltrating B cells and local BAFF expression in patients with LN. Results. Intrarenal B cells and/or BAFF were mainly distributed in the renal interstitium. Compared to the LN-non-B-cell/BAFF expression group, proteinuria (g/24 hour), blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine levels, LN renal activity, and chronicity indices, were all significantly greater in the LN-B-cell/BAFF expression groups. The expression of BAFF was strongly associated with the quantity of B-cell infiltrate in the interstitium. Conclusion. As BAFF expression was strongly associated with B-cell infiltration, we hypothesize that altered B-cell differentiation and tolerance induced by excess BAFF may be central to the pathogenesis of LN. 1. Introduction Lupus nephritis (LN) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a major cause of morbidity and end-stage renal disease [1]. LN develops in up to 60% of SLE patients during the course of the disease [2]. Dysfunction of B cells is thought to be important in the pathogenesis of SLE. B cells are also considered to be involved in LN, particularly as a source of nephritogenic auto-antibodies [3]. Intrarenal inflammation is a common feature in LN. However, little is known about the role of B cells as part of the infiltrating cell population. This might be because B cells have classically been considered to exert long-range effects, mostly via activation in secondary lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes and the spleen, with subsequent proliferation and differentiation into antibody-producing plasma cells. Studies have described the high prevalence of intrarenal B cells in immune-mediated diseases, including renal transplant rejection and glomerulonephritis [4¨C6]. Local B-cell infiltrates could play a role in tissue injury such as tissue fibrosis, neolymphangiogenesis, and ectopic lymphomagenesis [7]. Recently, a contribution of B cells to the formation of lymphoid-like structures in renal
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijr/2013/954292/