Changes of CD19 + CD5 + B cells and BAFF in endometriosis

Objective To explore the changes of frequency, BAFF expression and sensitivity to apoptosis of CD19 + CD5 + B cells in endometriosis patients and investigate the relationship between CD19 +CD5 + B cells and endometriosis. Methods Flow cytometry and quantitative PCR were used to assess the frequency, BAFF expression and sensitivity to apoptosis of CD19+ CD5 + B cells in the peripheral blood,peritoneal fluids and endometrium biopsies of 39 patients with endometriosis and 31 patients with myoma of uterus ( control subjects). Results: All 39 endometriosis patients had higher frequencies ( all P ＜ 0. 01 ) of CD19 + CD5 + B cells in the peripheral blood, peritoneal fluids and endometrium biopsies than that in 31 control subjects. CD19 + CD5 + B cells from endometriosis patients expressed higher BAFF, and were more resistant to CD95L-induced apoptosis than the cells from control subjects ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion CD19 + CD5 + B cells might play an important role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis through higher BAFF expression and more resistance to CD95L-induced apoptosis. Key words: Endometriosis/ME/IM;  B-lymphocytes/ME;  Antigens, CD19/ME;  Antigens, CD5/ME;  B-cell activating factor/ME