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Decreased Catecholamine‐Induced Cell Death in B Lymphocytes from Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract: The expression of β2‐adrenergic receptors (β2‐R) on B lymphocytes and agonist‐induced cAMP production is reduced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To further study functional consequences of the diminished β2‐R density on B lymphocytes in RA patients, agonist‐induced cell death was evaluated and compared to healthy controls. B lymphocytes from patients with RA and healthy controls were activated with anti‐IgM‐antibody. Coincubation was carried out with isoprenaline (iso, 0.001‐10 μM). Apoptotic and necrotic cells were determined using Annexin‐V and propidium‐iodide staining. β2‐R‐induced cell death in B cells from healthy volunteers was stimulated after 24 h (medium, 21.2 ± 1.6%; iso, 34.6 ± 4.4%; increase 59.3 ± 10.1%). However, in RA patients the increase in cell death following β2‐R stimulation (21.8 ± 8.9%) was significantly impaired (p= 0.02). Our data demonstrate that catecholamine‐induced cell death after stimulation of β2‐R on B lymphocytes is decreased in RA patients, possibly contributing to the pathogenesis of the disease.