Evaluation of effective factors on IL-10 signaling in B cells in patients with selective IgA deficiency

Background Selective IgA deficiency is the most prevalent form of primary immunodeficiencies. The pathogenesis of the disease is still unknown. Several studies have suggested a defect in B cell responses to IL-10; however, the main reason for this defect has not been reported. Elucidating IL-10 signaling defects and their correlation with clinical manifestations could be helpful for better understanding and treatment of the disease. Methods In this study, 15 SIgAD patients and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Surface expression of transforming growth factor β receptor II (TGF- β RII), IL-10R and IgA was assessed by flow cytometry in human purified B cells before and after stimulation by IL-10. Protein expression of STAT3, p-STAT3 and SOCS3 was measured by Western blotting analysis. TGF- β and IgA secretion was evaluated by ELISA. Finally, the measurement of B cell apoptosis was performed by flow cytometry. Results The TGF- β RII expression level was decreased after stimulation with IL-10 in patients compared with controls. Notably, the TGF- β level were higher after stimulation with mCD40L and IL-10 in the control group as compared to stimulation with mCD40L alone. The IgA + B cell percentage and IgA secretion levels were significantly increased in controls as compared with SIgAD patients. The relative concentration of the total STAT3 was decreased as compared with controls. Conclusion The defect in IgA production in SIgAD patients could be due to inadequate B cell responses to IL-10 stimulation that probably originate from defective regulation of IL-10-mediated TGF-b ‘symbol’ production TGF- β response by IL-10. Furthermore, it is suggested that the absence of STAT3 protein baseline expression could impair cytokine-mediated signaling such as thatinduced by IL-!0 and IL-21.