CD5 expression on B cells may be an activation marker for secretion of anti-myelin antibodies in patients with polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy.
B cells expressing the CD5 marker belong to a subpopulation with potential autoreactive properties. Increased proportions of CD5+ B cells have been reported in autoimmune diseases. In patients with monoclonal gammopathy and demyelinating polyneuropathy, the M-component often consists of autoantibodies reacting with myelin components. We therefore investigated if CD5+ B cells were involved in the production of anti-myelin antibodies. There was no difference of mean value of CD5+ B cells between patients and controls. However, the proportion of CD5+ B cells was significantly correlated with the amount of anti-myelin antibodies. In seven patients, CD5+ B cells were enriched using an immunomagnetic technique. The number of CD5+ and CD5- B cells secreting anti-myelin antibodies was determined by ELISPOT. In two patients with high levels of antibodies, antibody-secreting cells were mainly, but not exclusively, CD5+ B cells. In five patients with low levels of antibodies, most cells secreting anti-myelin antibodies were CD5-. We conclude that CD5 expressed on B cells may be an activation marker, reflecting B cells producing high amounts of anti-myelin antibodies in patients with polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy.
Ekerfelt
C
C
Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Ernerudh
J
J
Solders
G
G
Vrethem
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000502:physiology*; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D009185:Myelin Proteins