Expression of NK (CD16+56+) and B cells (CD19) Receptor Molecules as a Reliable Clinical Response Biomarkers of SLE and RA Patients Under the Rituximab Treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Lately, the use of biological therapy in various autoimmune diseases is increasing. The ideal marker for monitoring the effects of modern therapy is still non-existent.

Aim: To investigate early response biomarkers of SLE and RA patients under the rituximab treatment are in research phase and each new investigations offer new and original useful data.

Material and methods: Immunophenotyping of cells was carried out by a standard method of sample preparation. We investigated by flow cytometric analyses expression of NK and CD19+ cells at ten SLE and five RA patients before and after treatment with rituximab, in laboratory of Department of Clinical immunology in the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo.

Results: In both cases, SLE and RA patients, reduced number of CD16+ parameter indicates lower cytotoxic activity of NK cells. Increased number of B cells indicates higher pathological activity leading to severe autoimmune disease allegation.

Conclusion: Determining the proportion of NK and B will be useful diagnostic tool in therapeutic strategy, and also in monitoring of effect of biological therapy.

Keywords: Autoimmune disease; B cells and NK cells; Biological drugs; therapy.