Numbers of circulating CD19+CD24^hiCD38^hi B cells in AS patients naïve for TNF blockers (AS/nb).

<p>PBMCs isolated from the peripheral blood of AS/nb patients (n = 42) and from age and gender-matched healthy controls (HC) (n = 42) were stained with fluorochrome-labeled antibodies against cell surface markers and examined by flow cytometry. AS/nb patients showed an increased proportion and absolute numbers of circulating CD19+CD24^hiCD38^hi B cells. A. Representative dot plots demonstrate CD24 and CD38 expression in cells gated for CD19. B, C. Frequency (B) and absolute numbers (C) of circulating CD19+CD24^hiCD38^hi B cells in HC and AS/nb patients. Bars represent the median and interquartile range. *p<0.01.</p

Suppressive capacity of CD19+CD24^hiCD38^hi B cells in healthy subjects.

<p>Total CD19+ or B cells depleted of CD19+CD24^hiCD38^hi cells (Breg-depleted CD19+ B cells), isolated from the peripheral blood of three healthy controls (HC), were established in culture, and stimulated with anti-IgM+IgG. Secretion of IFNγ was determined in culture supernatants by sandwich ELISA at 2, 5 or 7 days. Bar graphs represent the mean and SEM for IFNγ concentrations of 3 independent experiments.</p

Clinical characteristics of AS/nb patients.

<p>Clinical characteristics of AS/nb patients.</p

Treatment with anti-TNF agents is associated with a significant reduction of circulating CD19+CD24^hiCD38^hi B cell numbers in AS patients.

<p>A. Frequency of CD19+CD24^hiCD38^hi B cells in six AS patients before and six months after initiating treatment with anti-TNFα agents, and in their 6 age and gender-matched healthy controls at the basal and 6 month study. (*p<0.05) B. CRP, calprotectin and ASDAS-CRP values in these 6 AS/nb patients before and six months after initiating treatment with anti-TNFα. (*p<0.05)</p