Background/Purpose: Semaphorin3A (sem3A) and neuropilin-1 (NP-1), are important regulatory molecules, previously reported by us to play role in lupus glomerulonephritis. In a recent study we demonstrated that sema3A expression on B-regulatory cells (B-regs) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is significantly decreased when compared to that on B-regs of normal individuals. Aiming to achieve a better characterization of B-regs (previously identified by us as CD19+CD25^highCD1d^highIL-10^highTGF-β^high), we asked whether other regulatory/stimulatory molecules are differently expressed on B-regs of SLE patients. We also asked whether the addition of sem3A into a culture of B cells could possibly immuno-modulate the expression of these molecules on B-regs.

Materials and Methods: The expression of CD72 and TGF-β (inhibitory molecules), and of CD100 (a stimulatory molecule) was assessed on B-regs of both normal individuals and SLE patients. We then added sema3A to cultured B cells and assessed their regulatory properties after 24 hours. Cell cycle analysis was also done in order to evaluate

Results: 1.The expression of both CD72 and TGF-β was significantly decreased (37.88%, 8.6%) and of CD100 (12.78%) on B-regs of SLE patients vs that on normal B-regs. (49.26%, 14.74%, 21.55% respectively; P=0.001)    

2. Twenty four hours following the addition of sema3A to cultured B cells, a significant increase of TGF- β, CD72 and NP-1 molecules and  decrease of CD100 on B-regs was noticed. However, this effect of sema3A on B cells was altered in SLE patients when compared to that of normal B cells.

Conclusion: 1. This is the first study were the above studied regulatory molecules are shown to be altered on B regs of SLE patients.  2. Sema3A enhances the regulatory properties of B regs, but this effect is also shown to be altered in SLE.

---

« Back to 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/semaphorin-3a-increases-the-regulatory-characteristics-of-b-regulatory-cells/