Cerebrospinal fluid B cells from multiple sclerosis patients are subject to normal germinal center selection

Christopher Harp, Jane Lee, Doris L Washington, Elizabeth Cameron, Gregory Olsen, Elliot Frohman, Michael Racke, Nancy L Monson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

Previous findings from our laboratory demonstrated that some clonally expanded cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) B cells from MS patients exhibit diminished mutation targeting patterns in comparison to typical B cells selected in the context of germinal centers (GCs). In order to determine whether the overall CSF B cell repertoires adhered to mutation patterns typical of GC-selected B cells, we analyzed the immunoglobulin repertoires from CSF B cells of 8 MS patients for mutation characteristics typical of GC-derived B cells. Mutation targeting was preserved. Thus, clonal expansion of some CSF B cells may occur independently of GC, but the CSF B cell pool is governed by typical GC selection. Interestingly, the heavy chain CDR3's of CSF B cells from MS patients had a net acidic charge, similar to GC-derived B cells, but a tendency towards longer CDR3's, consistent with autoreactive B cells. How these findings may support current hypotheses regarding the origin of CSF B cells is discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)189-199
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Neuroimmunology
Volume183
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2007

Keywords

  • B lymphocytes
  • Cerebrospinal fluid
  • Immunoglobulin rearrangements
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Mutation accumulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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