Background and aims Siglec-10 (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins-10) is a member of Siglecs family and known to be expressed on B cells to regulate immune tolerance. This study aimed to investigate the expression of Siglec-10 on B cells of SLE and evaluate anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs impact on the expression of Siglec-10 on B cells in vitro.

Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from patients with SLE (n=57) and healthy donors (n=30). Flow cytometry was performed to examine the expression of Siglec-10 on B cells. The potential association of these measures with the values of SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) score was also analysed. In vitro cultivation of PBMC with Dexamethasone sodium phosphate and chloroquine phosphate , the expression of Siglec-10 on B cells were detected by flow cytometry after 16 hour.

Results The expression of Siglec-10 on B cells was significantly increased in SLE patients compared with normal controls (p<0.001). Moreover, it was positively correlated with SLEDAI (OR=0.277, p<0.05) and elevated in non-treatment patient than patients after anti-rheumatic treatment (p<0.05). In vitro assay, Dexamethasone sodium phosphate and chloroquine phosphate could significantly decreased the expression of Siglec-10 on B cells respectively(p<0.05).

Conclusions The results from this study imply that Siglec-10 may play a potential role in progression and pathogenesis of SLE, which may represent a therapeutic target in SLE patients.