A higher frequency of IL-10-producing B cells in Hepatitis B virus-associated membranous nephropathy

Summary The purpose of this study is to elucidate the potential role of interleukin (IL)‐10+ regulatory B cells and other B cell subsets in the development of hepatitis B virus‐associated membranous nephropathy (HBV‐MN). A total of 14 patients with new onset HBV‐MN, 12 individuals with immune‐tolerant HBV infection (HBV‐IT), and 12 healthy controls (HC) were examined for the percentages of CD38+, CD86+, CD27+, CD95+ and IL‐10+ B cells by flow cytometry. Serum IL‐10 concentration was examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The percentages of CD38+CD19+, CD86+CD19+, CD38+CD86+CD19+, and CD95+CD19+ B cells were significantly higher in HBV‐MN patients than the HBV‐IT and HC. The percentages of CD5+CD19+, IL‐10+CD19+ B cells and serum IL‐10 level in HBV‐MN patients were significantly higher than the HC, and lower than the HBV‐IT. Percentages of CD38+CD19+, and CD86+CD19+ B cells were reduced after treatment, while the percentages of CD5+CD1d+CD19+, CD5+CD1d+IL‐10+CD19+, and IL‐10+CD19+ B cells were increased. The 24 h urinary protein concentration was positively correlated with the percentage of CD38+CD19+, and negatively correlated with the percentage of IL‐10+CD19+ B cells and serum IL‐10 level. Similarly, the value of eGFR was negatively correlated with the percentage of CD38+CD19+, and positively correlated with the percentage of IL‐10+CD19+ B cells and serum IL‐10 level. Serum IL‐10 level and the percentage of IL‐10+CD19+ were negatively correlated with the percentages of CD38+CD19+, and CD86+CD19+ B cells. These results suggest that CD86+CD19+, CD38+CD86+CD19+, CD95+CD19+, and especially CD38+CD19+ and IL‐10+CD19+ cells may participate in the pathogenesis of HBV‐MN.