The abnormality of B cell and BAFF associated with monocytes in patients with sarcoidosis

本研究的目的是确定结节病患者血清b细胞活化因子（BAFF）水平及其临床相关性。与健康对照相比，结节病患者血清BAFF水平显著升高。血清BAFF升高的患者皮肤和眼睛受累的频率明显高于正常水平的患者。血清BAFF水平与血清ACE、溶菌酶和ifn - γ水平相关。皮肤抗BAFF免疫染色显示肉芽肿上皮样细胞表达BAFF。在体外，ifn - γ诱导膜结合BAFF在单核细胞上的表达和分离的单核细胞分泌可溶性BAFF。综上所述，血清BAFF水平可作为结节病患者疾病活动性的替代指标。BAFF的增加可能与结节病的发病机制有关。

The purpose of this study was to determine serum levels of B-cell-activating factor (BAFF) and its clinical association in patients with sarcoidosis.Serum BAFF levels were significantly elevated in sarcoidosis patients when compared to healthy controls. The frequencies of skin and eye involvement were significantly higher in patients with elevated serum BAFF than in those patients with normal levels. Serum BAFF levels were correlated with serum levels of ACE, lysozyme, and IFN-gamma. Immunostaining of anti-BAFF in the skin revealed BAFF expression by epithelioid cells of granuloma. In vitro, IFN-gamma induced membrane-bound BAFF expression on monocytes and secretion of soluble BAFF by isolated monocytes. In conclusion, serum BAFF levels can be used as a surrogate marker of disease activity in sarcoidosis patients. Increased BAFF may be related to the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis.