Recovery of CD19⁺ B-cell subsets over time in SLE patients treated by immunoablation and ASCT versus levels in healthy controls. (A) Levels of IgD⁻ memory B cells among CD19⁺ B cells (median values) in patients (○, •) versus controls (hc, ▿, n = 32). The patient represented by closed symbols had a complete relapse 18 months after ASCT (patient 3); data after the flare (■) were excluded from statistical considerations. A Mann-Whitney U test was used for group comparison; a paired t test was performed to compare pre-ASCT data and corresponding post-ASCT data (*P < .05, **P < .005, ***P < .001). (B) Absolute numbers of IgD⁺ naive (□) and IgD⁻ memory (■) CD19⁺ B cells (median and range) in patients versus controls (hc, n = 32). A Mann-Whitney U test was used for group comparison; a paired t test was used to compare pre-ASCT data and corresponding post-ASCT data. (C) Levels of CD27^highCD20⁻ plasma blasts among circulating CD19⁺ B cells (median values) in patients versus controls (hc, n = 32). Dot plots show representative examples in 1 patient (patient 6) at baseline and 6 months after ASCT. (D) Surface expression of CD38 and CD138 on bone marrow mononuclear cells in 1 patient (patient 7) early after ASCT (+1 month) and in 1 healthy control.