Phenotype of Innate Immune Cells in Uveitis Associated with Axial Spondyloarthritis- and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-associated Uveitis

Purpose: To analyze circulating immune cells in patients with anterior uveitis (AU) associated to axial spondyloarthritis (SpA), or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods: Venous blood samples were collected from healthy controls (n = 16), and either SpA (n = 19) or JIA (n = 23) patients with associated anterior uveitis (AU) during active flare, or after >= 3 months of inactivity. Frequencies of CD56(+), MHC-I+, and S100A9(+) monocytes, CCR7(+) dendritic cells, CD56(+dim) natural killer (NK) cells and CD3(+)CD56(bright) T-cells were analyzed via flow cytometry. Serum S100A8/A9 levels were determined via ELISA. Results: SpA patients showed a reduced frequency of CD56(+dim) NK cells during uveitis activity, a constitutively activated monocyte phenotype, and elevated S100A8/A9 serum levels. In contrast, JIAU patients showed elevated frequencies of CD56(+) monocytes and CCR7(+) DC. Conclusion: Phenotype of peripheral immune cells differ between patients, probably contributing to different courses of acute onset AU in SpA and insidious onset AU in JIAU patients.

Automated summary

This study analyzed circulating immune cells in patients with anterior uveitis associated to axial spondyloarthritis or juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It found that SpA patients had reduced immune cell frequencies during uveitis activity, while JIAU patients showed elevated frequencies.