CD226+ B cells in primary Sjögren’s syndrome: a key player in clinical manifestations and disease pathogenesis

Introduction Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, leading to sicca symptoms and systemic complications. CD226, a co-stimulatory receptor implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis(RA), and pSS, regulates immune cell activation. However, the specific role of CD226+ B cells in pSS pathogenesis remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the functional contribution of CD226 + B cells to pSS development and their clinical relevance. Methods The percentages of CD226 on T cells, B cells, CD56 + NK cells and CD14 + monocytes in the peripheral blood(PB) of pSS patients and healthy controls (HCs) were detected by flow cytometry.Multicolor flow cytometry was employed to examine the distribution of CD226 in B cell subsets of pSS patients, as well as the expression levels of co-stimulatory molecules, activation and proliferation markers, immunoglobulins, and pro-inflammatory cytokines on both CD226 + B cells and CD226 - B cells. Multicolor immunofluorescence staining was applied to detect the co-expression of B cells and CD226 in the salivary gland of pSS patients.Microarray analysis was conducted to analyze the transcriptomic profiles of sorted CD226 + CD19 + B cells and CD226 - CD19 + B cells. Results CD226 expression in the peripheral blood of pSS patients was significantly increased on T cells, CD19 + B cells and CD14 + monocytes, but significantly decreased on CD56 + NK cells.We identified a distinct CD226 + CD19 + B cell subset that exhibited pathogenic features in pSS. CD226 was significantly upregulated on B cells in the peripheral blood and salivary glands of pSS patients.CD226 + CD19 + B cell showed a stronger correlation with clinical features, disease activity, and prognosis in pSS patients.The ROC curve demonstrated that CD226 + CD19 + B cell exhibited significant diagnostic capability to distinguish pSS patients from healthy controls and to differentiate disease activity.This subset also exhibited heightened activation and pro-inflammatory phenotypes. Discussion CD226 + B cells are expanded in pSS, strongly correlating with clinical manifestations and disease activity. These cells display enhanced effector profiles (activation, cytokine/immunoglobulin production) and demonstrate diagnostic utility. Our findings identify CD226 + B cell as a pathogenic driver in pSS, positioning CD226 as a promising novel therapeutic target and biomarker.