Increase CD24+CD27+ B cells within pleural effusions derived from lung adenocarcinoma presents enhanced potential for clinical utility

Background

The increasing interest in the roles of B cells, particularly regulatory B cells, within the tumor microenvironment has become prominent, though their immunological characteristics in malignant pleural effusions (PE) remain poorly elucidated.

Methods

Flow cytometry was performed in 143 pleural effusion and peripheral blood samples from patients in order to analyze the proportions of PB-derived B and T cells, and to assess surface markers and cytokines, such as IFN-γ and IL-10. Moreover, we compared clinical role of CD24⁺CD27⁺ B cell populations.

Results

B cell populations were significantly higher in PE from lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) than tuberculosis (TB). Compared to PB from patients, the proportion of CD24⁺CD27⁺ B cells was markedly elevated in LUAD-PE and exhibited reduced levels of CD38, CD5, CD71, PD-1, and PD-L1, as well as an upregulation of IL-10 and CD39. PD-1 and PD-L1 were largely found to be upregulated within the CD27⁺CD38⁺ B cell subset despite declining proportions overall. Re-interpretations illustrated significant relationships between CD24⁺CD27⁺ B cells and clinical measurements.

Conclusions

This study highlights the heterogenic phenotypes and functions of various B cell subsets in LUAD-PE, with specific attention to CD24⁺CD27⁺ B cells as potential diagnostic markers and the need for further studies investigating their immunoregulatory functions to unveil new immunotherapeutic strategies in lung cancer.