01.06 B-cell phenotype and igd-cd27- memory b cells are affected by tnf-inhibitors and tocilizumab treatment in rheumatoid arthritis

Background The use of TNF-inhibitors and/or the IL-6 receptor antagonist, tocilizumab, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have pleiotropic effects that also involve circulating B-cells. The main goal of this study was to assess the effect of TNF-inhibitors and tocilizumab on B-cell phenotype and gene expression in RA. Materials and methods Blood samples were collected from untreated early RA (ERA) patients (<1 year of disease duration), established RA patients under methotrexate treatment, established RA patients before and after treatment with TNF-inhibitors and tocilizumab, and healthy donors. B-cell subpopulations were characterised by flow cytometry and B-cell gene expression was analysed by real-time PCR on isolated B-cells. Serum levels of BAFF, CXCL13 and sCD23 were determined by ELISA. Results The frequency of total CD19+ B-cells in circulation was similar between controls and all RA groups, irrespective of treatment, but double negative (DN) IgD-CD27- memory B-cells were significantly increased in ERA and established RA when compared to controls. Treatment with TNF-inhibitors and tocilizumab restored the frequency of IgD-CD27- B-cells to normal levels, but did not affect other B-cell subpopulations. TACI, CD95, CD5, HLA-DR and TLR9 expression on B-cells significantly increased after treatment with either TNF-inhibitors and/or tocilizumab, but no significant changes were observed in BAFF-R, BCMA, CD69, CD86, CXCR5, CD23, CD38 and IgM expression on B-cells when comparing baseline with post-treatment follow-ups. Alterations in B-cell gene expression of BAFF-R, TACI, TLR9, FcγRIIB, BCL-2, BLIMP-1 and β2M were found in ERA and established RA patients, but no significant differences were observed after TNF-inhibitors and tocilizumab treatment when comparing baseline and follow-ups. Serum levels of CXCL13, sCD23 and BAFF were not significantly affected by treatment with TNF-inhibitors and tocilizumab. Conclusions In RA, treatment with either TNF-inhibitors or tocilizumab affects B-cell phenotype and the frequency of memory B-cell subpopulations in peripheral blood, particularly DN (IgD-CD27-) B-cells, but not B-cell gene expression or serum levels of CXCL13, sCD23 and BAFF, when comparing baseline with post-treatment follow up. Overall, our results may suggest that TNF-inhibitors and tocilizumab inhibit B-cell trafficking towards inflammatory sites, thus supporting activated B-cell recirculation from tissues through blood and lymphatic systems.