Author:
Zhang Yuanyuan,Yang Jingjing,Li Jianzhong,Sun Jiani,Zhou Ling,Xu Deyu,Sha Wengang,Dai Lan,Shen Lei
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and significance of rituximab (RTX) on the levels of T lymphocyte subsets in patients diagnosed with primary membranous nephropathy (PMN).
Methods
A total of 58 PMN patients and 25 healthy donors were chosen as the subjects. Among the PMN patients, 40 individuals received RTX treatment and completed at least 6 months of follow-up. All subjects underwent flow cytometry analysis to determine the peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets. The changes in anti-PLA2R antibody titers and 24-hour urinary protein levels were evaluated by ELISA and Biuret method before and after treatment.
Results
(1) The PMN group exhibited a significantly greater percentage of peripheral blood CD3−CD19+ B cells than the healthy group, which is consistent with the findings of previous reports. Additionally, compared with those in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals, the numbers of CD4+ central memory T cells, CD4+ effector memory T cells, CD4+/CD8+, and CD4+CD25+ T cells in the PMN peripheral blood were markedly greater. However, the number of peripheral blood Treg cells was reduced in the PMN group. (2) After 6 months of RTX treatment, PMN patients exhibited significant decreases in anti-PLA2R antibody titers, 24-hour urinary protein levels, and peripheral blood CD3−CD19+ B cells. Importantly, RTX administration decreased CD4+CD25+ T cells and CD4+/CD8+ in the peripheral blood of PMN patients and improved Treg cell levels. (3) RTX treatment induced alterations in the CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in PMN patients, which did not correlate with B lymphocyte counts or anti-PLA2R antibody titers.
Conclusions
RTX treatment might have a beneficial impact on cellular immunity by effectively restoring the balance of CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in PMN patients, which is beyond its effects on B cells and antibody production.
Trial registration
The research was registered at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. Registration Number: MR-32-23-016211. Registration Date: May 31, 2023.
Funder
Jiangsu Provice Elderly Health Research Project
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献