In:
European Respiratory Journal, European Respiratory Society (ERS), Vol. 60, No. 5 ( 2022-11), p. 2102130-
Abstract:
Comprehensive studies investigated the role of T-cells in asthma which led to personalised treatment options targeting severe eosinophilic asthma. However, little is known about the contribution of B-cells to this chronic inflammatory disease. In this study we investigated the contribution of various B-cell populations to specific clinical features in asthma. Methods In the All Age Asthma Cohort (ALLIANCE), a subgroup of 154 adult asthma patients and 28 healthy controls were included for B-cell characterisation by flow cytometry. Questionnaires, lung function measurements, blood differential counts and allergy testing of participants were analysed together with comprehensive data on B-cells using association studies and multivariate linear models. Results Patients with severe asthma showed decreased immature B-cell populations while memory B-cells were significantly increased compared with both mild–moderate asthma patients and healthy controls. Furthermore, increased frequencies of IgA + memory B-cells were associated with impaired lung function and specifically with parameters indicative for augmented resistance in the peripheral airways. Accordingly, asthma patients with small airway dysfunction (SAD) defined by impulse oscillometry showed increased frequencies of IgA + memory B-cells, particularly in patients with mild–moderate asthma. Additionally, IgA + memory B-cells significantly correlated with clinical features of SAD such as exacerbations. Conclusions With this study we demonstrate for the first time a significant association of increased IgA + memory B-cells with asthma and SAD, pointing towards future options for B-cell-directed strategies in preventing and treating asthma.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0903-1936
,
1399-3003
DOI:
10.1183/13993003.02130-2021
DOI:
10.1183/13993003.02130-2021.Supp1
DOI:
10.1183/13993003.02130-2021.Shareable1
Language:
English
Publisher:
European Respiratory Society (ERS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2834928-3
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1499101-9
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