The response of CD27CD38 plasmablasts, CD24CD38 transitional B cells, CXCR5ICOSPD-1 Tph, Tph2 and Tfh2 subtypes to allergens in children with allergic asthma.

Background: Allergic asthma is a type I allergic reaction mediated by serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE). B cell-mediated humoral immune response to allergens in the pathophysiology of allergic asthma have not been thoroughly elucidated. Peripheral helper T cells (Tph) and follicular helper T cells (Tfh) promote B cell differentiation and antibody production in inflamed tissues.

Objective: To investigate the roles of B cell subsets, Tph cell subsets and Tfh cell subsets in allergic immune responses.

Methods: Circulating B cell subsets, Tph cell subsets and Tfh cell subsets in 33 children with allergic asthma and 17 healthy children were analyzed using multicolor flow cytometry. The level of serum total IgE was also assessed.

Results: Our study found that CD27CD38 plasmablasts and CD24CD38 transitional B cells increased and were correlated with serum total IgE level, CD27 naive B cells and CD24CD27 B cells decreased in children with allergic asthma. CXCR5 Tph, CXCR5ICOS Tph, CXCR5ICOSPD-1 Tph, CXCR5ICOS Tfh and CXCR5ICOSPD-1 Tfh increased in children with allergic asthma. Further analysis showed increased Tph2, Tph17, Tfh2 and Tfh17 subtypes while decreased Tph1 and Tfh1 subtypes in children with allergic asthma. Most interestingly, Tph2 or Tfh2 subtypes had a positive correlation with serum total IgE level.

Conclusion: Overall, these results provide insight into the allergens elicited B, Tph or Tfh cell response and identify heretofore unappreciated CD24CD38 transitional B cells, CD24CD27 B cells, CXCR5 Tph, CXCR5ICOSPD-1 Tph, Tph2 subtypes and Tfh2 subtypes response to allergens.