CD72 downregulation on DN2 B cells is associated with disease activity and resistance to rituximab in systemic lupus erythematosus

The DN2 B cell subset have been associated with autoimmunity. We showed that DN2 B cells in SLE have reduced CD72 expression, which is associated with anti-dsDNA positivity, complement consumption, and enhanced BCR downstream signalling. The relative resistance of CD72-negative B cells to RTX indicates that an impaired checkpoint programme in lupus B cells may potentially contribute to disease relapse. These findings require validation in larger cohorts.