OBJECTIVES To evaluate expansion of CD21low B cells and their role in B cell homeostasis, apoptosis, clinical manifestations and serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). MATERIALS AND METHODS B-cells subpopulations and apoptosis have been assessed in 74 SSc patients and 20 healthy donors. Renal Doppler ultrasound, echocardiography, pulmonary function test and VEGF were performed. RESULTS SSc patients with expanded CD21low B cells (SSc-CD21low) show a distinct B cell profile with increased memory B cells compared to patients without CD21low B cells (SSc-CD21+). Renal resistive index, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure and FVC/DLCO ratio were significantly higher in SSc-CD21low group than SSc-CD21+, DLCO was lower in SSc-CD21low group than SSc-CD21+. We found a positive linear correlation between CD21low and sPAP, RI and FVC/DLCO ratio whereas a negative correlation was observed between CD21low and DLCO and VEGF levels. CONCLUSIONS CD21low B cells are increased in SSc patients with visceral vascular manifestations.

中文翻译：

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系统性硬化中的CD21low B细胞：可能是血管并发症的标志。

目的评估系统性硬化症（SSc）中CD21low B细胞的扩增及其在B细胞稳态，细胞凋亡，临床表现和血清血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）中的作用。材料与方法在74名SSc患者和20名健康供者中评估了B细胞亚群和凋亡。进行肾脏多普勒超声，超声心动图检查，肺功能检查和VEGF。结果与没有CD21low B细胞（SSc-CD21 +）的患者相比，具有CD21low B细胞扩增的SSc患者（SSc-CD21low）具有明显的B细胞特征，具有增加的记忆B细胞。SSc-CD21low组的肾脏抵抗指数，收缩期肺动脉压和FVC / DLCO比值明显高于SSc-CD21 +，SSc-CD21low组的DLCO低于SSc-CD21 +。我们发现CD21low与sPAP，RI和FVC / DLCO比率之间呈正线性相关，而CD21low与DLCO和VEGF水平之间呈负相关。结论SSc内脏血管表现的患者CD21low B细胞增加。