Flow Cytometry Analysis of Peripheral Blood B Cell Distribution of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Vuslat Yılmaz1, Deniz Ak Tura2, Canan Ulusoy1, Duygu Özkan Yaşargün2, Suzan Adın Çınar3, Recai Türkoğlu2
1Istanbul University Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Istanbul, Turkey
2Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Neurology, Istanbul, Turkey
3Istanbul University Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Immunology, Istanbul, Turkey
Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, B cell, peripheral blood
Abstract
Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system (CNS) disease characterized by autoimmune inflammation and neurodegeneration. Damage to the CNS is thought to be mediated predominantly by activated pro-inflammatory T cells and antibody secreting B cells. Strong evidence of B cell functions in MS pathogenesis has come from trials of B cell- depleting treatment. In this study, the peripheral blood frequencies of B cell subsets were measured using flow cytometry in patients to determine the disease-specific B cell differences that might be associated with the evolution to progressive forms of MS.
Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated from patients and healthy controls [relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS)]. Cells were stained with anti-human monoclonal antibodies (CD19-APC, CD27-FITC, IgD-APC/Cy7, CD138-PE, CD24-PerCP and CD38-Alexa fluor 700), and analyzed using flow cytometry
Results: There were no significant differences between the MS group and healthy controls by means of peripheral blood frequencies of B cells, immature, naïve, classic memory, plasma, plasmablasts, and regulatory B cells. Only higher naïve B cell frequency tendency was determined in patients with RRMS as compared with patients with SPMS and healthy controls.
Conclusion: Peripheral blood B cell subset measurements are not likely to be used as a biomarker for prediction of disease progression. Although B cells have a well-known pathogenic significance, B cell population alterations do not occur during the progression of the disease.