The content of regulatory B-lymphocytes in autoimmune adrenal insufficiency

Introduction: Currently, the need to expand knowledge about the mechanisms of impaired immune tolerance in autoimmune adrenal insufficiency (AAI) remains relevant. It is not excluded that in AAI there are disturbances in the system of regulatory B-lymphocytes (Breg).

Objective: To assess the state of the B-regulatory cells system of immunity in AAI.

Material and methods: the content of Breg was evaluated in patients with AAI, including isolated AAI and AAI as part of autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 2 (APS-2) and as part of APS-1, in patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (1-AI) of non-autoimmune genesis, conditionally healthy individuals without AI and autoimmune diseases.

Results: A decrease in the content of Breg in vivo was revealed in patients with isolated AAI and AAI in the composition of APS-2 compared with conditionally healthy participants. The content of Breg in vivo in patients with 1-AI of non-autoimmune genesis did not statistically differ from the indicators of conditionally healthy participants.

Conclusion: for the first time in the world, a tendency to a decrease in the content of Breg in AAI, caused by a disturbance of peripheral immune tolerance, was found. Thus, these cells can be considered as promising markers for the prognosis, early diagnosis, and differential diagnosis of AAI.

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