B-cell phenotype and IgD-CD27- memory B cells are affected by TNF-inhibitors and tocilizumab treatment in rheumatoid arthritis
Fig 9
Changes in B-cell gene expression levels occur in rheumatoid arthritis, but no effect of TNF-inhibitors and tocilizumab treatment is observed.
The expression of a group of genes related with B-cell activation through B-cell activating factor receptors (BAFF-R, BCMA, TACI) (A); toll-like receptors (TLR7, TLR9, TLR10) (B); chemotaxis (CXCR5), inhibition (FcgRIIB), apoptosis (BCL-2) (C); class-switching (AID), plasma cell differentiation (BLIMP-1) and cellular activation (β2M) (D) was analyzed on isolated B-cells by real time PCR in early RA (ERA) and established RA. The effect of TNF-inhibitors and tocilizumab treatment on B-cell gene expression was assessed in established RA patients at baseline and after an average of 8 months of treatment. Lines represent median values with interquartile range. Differences were considered statistically significant for p<0.05 (non-parametric Mann-Whitney test).