A higher frequency of IL-10-producing B cells in Hepatitis B virus-associated membranous nephropathy

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the potential role of interleukin (IL)-10(+) regulatory B cells and other B cell subsets in the development of hepatitis B virus-associated membranous nephropathy (HBV-MN). A total of 14 patients with new onset HBV-MN, 12 individuals with immune-tolerant HBV infection (HBV-IT), and 12 healthy controls (HC) were examined for the percentages of CD38(+), CD86(+), CD27(+), CD95(+) and IL-10(+) B cells by flow cytometry. Serum IL-10 concentration was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The percentages of CD38(+)CD19(+), CD86(+)CD19(+), CD38(+)CD86(+)CD19(+), and CD95(+)CD19(+) B cells were significantly higher in HBV-MN patients than the HBV-IT and HC. The percentages of CD5(+)CD19(+), IL-10(+)CD19(+) B cells and serum IL-10 level in HBV-MN patients were significantly higher than the HC, and lower than the HBV-IT. Percentages of CD38(+)CD19(+), and CD86(+)CD19(+) B cells were reduced after treatment, while the percentages of CD5(+)CD1d(+)CD19(+), CD5(+)CD1d(+)IL-10(+)CD19(+), and IL-10(+)CD19(+) B cells were increased. The 24h urinary protein concentration was positively correlated with the percentage of CD38(+)CD19(+), and negatively correlated with the percentage of IL-10(+)CD19(+) B cells and serum IL-10 level. Similarly, the value of eGFR was negatively correlated with the percentage of CD38(+)CD19(+), and positively correlated with the percentage of IL-10(+)CD19(+) B cells and serum IL-10 level. Serum IL-10 level and the percentage of IL-10(+)CD19(+) were negatively correlated with the percentages of CD38(+)CD19(+), and CD86(+)CD19(+) B cells. These results suggest that CD86(+)CD19(+), CD38(+)CD86(+)CD19(+), CD95(+)CD19(+), and especially CD38(+)CD19(+) and IL-10(+)CD19(+) cells may participate in the pathogenesis of HBV-MN.