Circulatory age-associated B cells: Their distinct transcriptomic characteristics and clinical significance in drug-naïve patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Age-associated B cells (ABCs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. However, the global gene expression and clinical significance of circulatory ABCs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain poorly understood. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing identified nine B cell subsets in peripheral blood of RA patients, including ABCs. Increased phagocytosis and antigen presentation were functionally enriched by the genes expressed differentially in ABCs. Network analysis and in vitro experiments demonstrated SYK as a key regulator defining the myeloid-like phenotypes in ABCs. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of ABCs correlated with RA activity and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha level. Notably, ABCs above a cutoff threshold specifically distinguished RA from healthy controls and indicated higher disease activity. This study highlights the myeloid characteristics of circulatory ABCs regulated by SYK in RA. Increased ABCs may reflect disease activity and could serve as a potential biomarker in RA.