Abstract
Background and Aims
End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is linked to immunodeficiency, which makes a significant contribution to morbidity and mortality. Disturbances in innate and adaptive immunity have been described in patients on dialysis, although their association with the therapy itself is yet to be defined. The present study aimed to assess the impact of dialysis on B cell subpopulations
Method
B cells (CD19+) and their subsets B1a (CD19+CD5+), naive (CD19+CD27−), memory (CD19+CD27+), (CD19+BAFFR+) and (CD19+IgM+), were quantified using flow-cytometry of in the peripheral blood of ESRD patients, the first day on dialysis (T0), and repeated 6 months later (T6). The results were compared to age-matched healthy control group. Exclusion criteria were age <18 or>75 years, active autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease, medical history of malignancy, corticosteroids or immunosuppresive treatment for the last 12 months
Results
Pre dialysis ESRD patients had reduced lymphocyte count (1527±646μ/L vs. 2459±520μ/L, p<0.001) and B cell (CD19+) count (82.7±59.5μ/L vs. 177.6±73.8μ/L, p<0.001) compared to controls, whereas the percentages of B cell subsets were not particularly affected, except for B1a subset which presented a significant increase (4.1±3.6% vs. 0.7±0.7% p<0.001). In 17 patients who had a follow-up sample 6 months later, the percentage of most subsets was reduced (CD19+CD5+: 1.02±0.8% from 3.6±4.6%, p=0.015, Naive: 40±22.3% from 61±17.4%, p=0.001, CD19+BAFF+:75.8±12.6% from 82.1±9.1%, p=0.04,), apart from memory B cells percentage, which was increased (49.4±52.1% from 32,9±35,5%, p=0.01) and CD19+ IgM+ percentage, which was unaffected .
Conclusion
A significant reduction of almost all subsets of B cells was noticed in patients with ESRD on pre-dialysis stage. Furthermore, the initiation of renal replacement therapy may be linked to further alterations in B cells subpopulations, especially at their early stages.
