Flow Cytometry Analysis of Peripheral Blood B Cell Distribution of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

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

Keywords

• Multiple sclerosis
• B cell
• peripheral blood