Expressions of regulatory B cells in peripheral blood of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome

Objective To investigate the expressions of regulatory B cells and related cytokines in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Methods Forty-four patients with GBS admitted to our hospital from October 2018 to June 2019 were enrolled as GBS group; 44 healthy subjects accepted physical examination in our hospital at the same period were selected as control group. Flow cytometry was used to determine the proportions of CD19+CD24hiCD38hi regulatory B cells and CD19+CD24hiCD27+ regulatory B cells in CD19+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the two groups. ELISA was employed to detect the serum contents of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-35 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 of the two groups. Results As compared with those in the control group, the proportions of CD19+CD24hiCD38hi regulatory B cells and CD19+CD24hiCD27+ regulatory B cells in CD19+B lymphocytes of the GBS group were significantly decreased (P 0.05). Conclusion Regulatory B cells play a role in the pathogenesis of GBS through IL-10 and IL-35 cytokine pathways. Key words: Regulatory B cell; Guillain-Barre syndrome; Cytokine; Interleukin