DNA methylation profiles profiles of B cell subsets from healthy and SLE subjects

SLE is characterized by the production of autoantibodies that arise from the B cell lineage. Therefore, we sought to assess the epigenetic and transcriptome profiles of distinct B cell subsets known to be expanded in SLE from healthy and SLE subjects. These data define the differentiation heirarchy of B cell subsets and the epigenetic and transcriptional consequences of SLE on human B cells. Five distinct B cell subsets were FACS isolated from a cohort of SLE and HC subjects. For a subset of subjects, circulating Antibody Secreting Cells (ASC) were also isolated for comparisons. Cells were FACS sorted into lysis buffer, DNA purified and DNA methylation profile assayed by Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (RRBS).