Altered B Lymphocyte Subsets Frequency In Peripheral Blood In Autoimmune Diabetes

Objective:This study aims to investigate the frequency of B lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood in autoimmune diabetes.Methods:The patients with type2diabetes mellitus (T2DM)(n=95), latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA)(n=82), type1diabetes mellitus (T1DM)(n=81) were recruited from Institute of Metabolism and Endocrine of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. And healthy individuals (n=218) with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were enrolled at the same time. The peripheral blood samples were obtained and the peripheral blood mononulear cells (PBMC) were separated and stained from476individuals. The frequency of B lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood was measured by multicolour flow cytometry.Results:There was no significant difference in the frequency of B lymphocytes among different types of diabetes and control (P>0.05). The frequency of B10cells was gradually decreased in NGT, T2DM and T1DM group (2.46(1.98-2.95)%vs.2.25(1.89-2.65)%vs.1.82(1.41-2.22)%)(P<0.05). The frequency of B10cells was gradually decreased in NGT, LADA and T1DM group (2.46(1.98-2.95)%vs.2.17(1.78-2.55)%vs.1.82(1.41-2.22)%)(P<0.05). The frequency of marginal zone B (MZB) cells in T1DM and LADA was increased compared with NGT and T2DM (2.46(1.98-2.95)%vs.2.25(1.89-2.65)%vs.2.17(1.78-2.55)%vs.1.82(1.41-2.22)%)(P<0.05). The frequency of follicular B (FoB) cells in T1DM and LADA was decreased compared with NGT and T2DM (8.41(3.99-16.30)%vs.12.50(6.94-16.35)%vs.12.90(9.16-18.43)%vs.14.00(10.80-18.00)%). These results were adjusted by age and body mass index. The frequency of B10cells in all subjects was positively correlated with fasting C peptide (FCP) and2hour postprandial C-Peptide (PCP)(P<0.05for each). The frequency of MZB cells in all subjects was negatively correlated with FCP and PCP, and positively correlated with fasting blood glucose and2hour postprandial blood glucose (P<0.05for each).Conclusions:The frequency of B10cells is decreased, while the frequency of MZB cells is increased in LADA and T1DM. These results highlight altered peripheral blood B lymphocyte subsets frequency in autoimmune diabetes, and suggest that similar immunological alteration may be correlated with the development of autoimmune diabetes.