Analysis of multiple sclerosis cerebrospinal fluid reveals a continuum of clonally related antibody-secreting cells that are predominantly plasma blasts.
Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of B cell subtypes in 17 CSF samples from 15 patients with clinically-definite MS revealed that CD19+ B cells accounted for 2 to 11% (mean 5%) and CD138+ cells constituted 0 to 5% (mean 2%) of total CSF lymphocytes. Further stratification of CD138+ cells based on expression levels of CD19 showed that CD138+19+ plasma blasts constituted 89+/-2% (mean+/-SE) of the CD138+ cell population (P<0.00001), with more mature plasma cells (CD138+19-) constituting the remaining 11+/-2%. Sequence analysis of immunoglobulin variable regions in single CD138+19+ and CD138+19- cells sorted from MS CSF identified many of the same clonal populations in both populations, indicating a continuum of clonally related plasma cell subtypes of which CD138+19+ plasma blasts are most abundant.
Winges
Kimberly M
KM
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Fellow, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
Gilden
Donald H
DH
Bennett
Jeffrey L
JL
Yu
Xiaoli
X
Ritchie
Alanna M
AM
Owens
Gregory P
GP
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018941:Antigens, CD19 / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000276:immunology*; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology; D053668:Syndecan-1 / Q000032:analysis
D018941:Antigens, CD19; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D053668:Syndecan-1