@article{GernertTonySchwanecketal.2019,
  author    = {Gernert, Michael and Tony, Hans-Peter and Schwaneck, Eva Christina and Gadeholt, Ottar and Schmalzing, Marc},
  title     = {Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in systemic sclerosis induces long-lasting changes in B cell homeostasis toward an anti-inflammatory B cell cytokine pattern},
  series = {Arthritis Research \& Therapy},
  volume    = {21},
  journal   = {Arthritis Research \& Therapy},
  doi       = {10.1186/s13075-019-1889-8},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201004},
  pages     = {106},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Background Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) is performed in patients with aggressive forms of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The profile of B cell reconstitution after aHSCT is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate changes of B cell subsets and cytokine production of B cells in patients with SSc after aHSCT. Methods Peripheral blood of six patients with SSc was collected at defined intervals up to 16 months after aHSCT. Immunophenotyping was performed, and B cell function was determined by measuring cytokine secretion in supernatants of stimulated B cell cultures. Results Within 1 month after aHSCT, a peak in the percentage of CD38\(^{++}\)/CD10\(^+\)/IgD\(^+\) transitional B cells and CD38\(^{++}\)/CD27\(^{++}\)/IgD\(^-\) plasmablasts was detected. Long-term changes persisted up to 14 months after aHSCT and showed an increased percentage of total B cells; the absolute B cell number did not change significantly. Within the B cell compartment, an increased CD27/IgD\(^+\) na{\"i}ve B cell percentage was found whereas decreased percentages of CD27\(^+\)/IgD\(^+\) pre-switched memory, CD27\(^+\)/IgD\(^-\) post-switched memory, and CD27\(^-\) /IgD\(^-\) double-negative B cells were seen after aHSCT. Cytokine secretion in B cell cultures showed significantly increased IL-10 concentrations 13 to 16 months after aHSCT. Conclusion A changed composition of the B cell compartment is present for up to 14 months after aHSCT indicating positive persisting effects of aHSCT on B cell homeostasis. The cytokine secretion profile of B cells changes in the long term and shows an increased production of the immune regulatory cytokine IL-10 after aHSCT. These findings might promote the clinical improvements after aHSCT in SSc patients.},
  language  = {en}
}