title: B and T cell imbalances in CSF of patients with Hu-antibody associated PNS.
abstract: In paraneoplastic neurological syndromes associated with Hu-antibodies (Hu-PNS) an important role for cellular immunity is hypothesized. We characterized the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis in Hu-PNS patients by assessing the major lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry. The B cell subset in the CSF of Hu-PNS patients showed a significant absolute (approximately 20x) and relative (approximately 3x) expansion, while the numbers of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and NK cells only showed an absolute expansion (approximately 4-7x) compared to the controls. On the other hand, the NKT cell subset showed a significant relative reduction in CSF and in blood of Hu-PNS patients. The relative B cell expansion is consistent with the intrathecal synthesis of Hu-antibodies, while the increased number of T and NK cells supports an additional role for cellular immunity in the pathogenesis of Hu-PNS. In addition, the autoimmune hypothesis of Hu-PNS is supported by the relative NKT cell deficiency.
authors: Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Marieke
authors: M
authors: de Graaf
authors: Janet
authors: J
authors: de Beukelaar
authors: Jelmer
authors: J
authors: Bergsma
authors: Jaco
authors: J
authors: Kraan
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: van den Bent
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Klimek
authors: Yvette
authors: Y
authors: van Norden
authors: Arinardi
authors: A
authors: Kusuma
authors: Peter Sillevis
authors: PS
authors: Smitt
authors: Jan Willem
authors: JW
authors: Gratama
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000906:Antibodies / Q000378:metabolism; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D051959:ELAV Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020361:Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Nervous System / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D051959:ELAV Proteins