Involvement of B Cells, Immunoglobulins, and Syk in the Pathogenesis of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a potentially life-threatening disease that is common in older individuals. Currently, therapeutic options are limited to surgical interventions. Although it has long been known that AAA tissue is enriched in B cells and immunoglobulins, their involvement in AAA pathogenesis remains controversial.

Methods And Results: We investigated the role of B cells and immunoglobulins in a murine model of AAA, induced with a periaortic application of CaCl, and in human AAA. Both human and mouse AAA tissue showed B-cell infiltration. Mouse AAA tissue showed deposition of IgG and activation of Syk, a key molecule in B-cell activation and immunoglobulin function, which were localized to infiltrating cells including B cells and macrophages. B-cell-deficient muMT mice showed suppression of AAA development that was associated with reduced activation of Syk and less expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9. Administration of exogenous immunoglobulins restored the blunted Syk activation and AAA development in muMT mice. Additionally, exogenous immunoglobulins induced interleukin-6 and metalloproteinase-9 secretions in human AAA tissue cultures. Furthermore, administration of R788, a specific Syk inhibitor, suppressed AAA expansion, reduced inflammatory response, and reduced immunoglobulin deposition in AAA tissue.

Conclusions: From these results, we concluded that B cells and immunoglobulins participated in AAA pathogenesis by promoting inflammatory and tissue-destructive activities. Finally, we identified Syk as a potential therapeutic target.