Expression of NK (CD16+56+) and B cells (CD19) Receptor Molecules as a Reliable Clinical Response Biomarkers of SLE and RA Patients Under the Rituximab Treatment.

INTRODUCTION

Lately, the use of biological therapy in various autoimmune diseases is increasing. The ideal marker for monitoring the effects of modern therapy is still non-existent.

AIM

To investigate early response biomarkers of SLE and RA patients under the rituximab treatment are in research phase and each new investigations offer new and original useful data.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Immunophenotyping of cells was carried out by a standard method of sample preparation. We investigated by flow cytometric analyses expression of NK and CD19+ cells at ten SLE and five RA patients before and after treatment with rituximab, in laboratory of Department of Clinical immunology in the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo.

RESULTS

In both cases, SLE and RA patients, reduced number of CD16+ parameter indicates lower cytotoxic activity of NK cells. Increased number of B cells indicates higher pathological activity leading to severe autoimmune disease allegation.

CONCLUSION

Determining the proportion of NK and B will be useful diagnostic tool in therapeutic strategy, and also in monitoring of effect of biological therapy.