The dysregulation of circulating innate lymphoid cells is related to autoantibodies in pemphigus vulgaris.

Abstract

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a typical autoimmune disease caused by autoantibodies. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are non-antigen-dependent populations composed of different subsets, also known as "mirror cells" of T cells, which play a crucial role in immune inflammatory diseases. However, the characteristics of ILCs in PV are unclear. Patients diagnosed with PV along with healthy controls in Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were studied. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of ILC subsets in the peripheral blood. Anti-desmoglein (DSG) 1 and anti-DSG3 antibody levels of PV patients were detected. Thirty-eight PV patients and 37 healthy controls were enrolled. There were no differences in sex or age between the two groups. Compared with controls, ILCs/CD45+ lymphocytes were significantly decreased in patients with PV. The frequency of ILC1s increased in patients with PV and was positively correlated with anti-DSG3 antibodies. However, the frequency of ILC3s decreased in patients with PV and was negatively correlated with anti-DSG1 antibodies. After methylprednisolone treatment, ILC1/ILC levels significantly decreased. Circulating ILC subsets are associated with PV pathogenesis. Upregulated ILC1s seem to correlate positively with PV severity and can be restored after treatment.