ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Recent evidence suggests that B cells can both promote and inhibit the development and progression of allergic disease. However, the characteristics of B cell subsets in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) have not been well documented. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of B cell subsets in the peripheral blood of AR patients. METHODS: Forty-seven AR patients and 54 healthy controls were enrolled in this study, and the B cell subsets in peripheral blood of all subjects were analyzed by flow cytometry. Moreover, the serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgE concentrations secreted into the cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We found the peripheral blood of AR patients contained higher percentages of memory B cells, plasma cells, and CD19+CD24hiCD27+ regulatory B cells (Bregs) than those of age-matched healthy controls (P < 0.05), while the percentages of naïve B cells and CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Bregs were significantly lower in AR patients than in healthy individuals (P < 0.05). In addition, the serum total IgE and IgE concentrations secreted into the cultured PBMCs were elevated in AR patients than in the healthy controls (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that AR patients were characterized by increase in terminally differentiated memory B cells or plasma cells and decreases in CD19+CD24hiCD38hi Breg cells in the peripheral blood.