Clonally expanded plasma cells in the cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients produce myelin-specific antibodies

Eur J Immunol. 2008 Jul;38(7):2014-23. doi: 10.1002/eji.200737784.

Abstract

Clonally expanded plasma cells (cePC) and their presumed products, oligoclonal immunoglobulin G bands (OCB), are characteristic findings in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). While cePC and OCB strongly suggest an involvement of B cell-dependent immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of MS, their actual pathological relevance and target antigens remain unknown. To further understand the potential role played by cePC, we generated a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MS-mAb) from CSF-derived cePC from four patients with early or definite MS. Single-cell RT-PCR of correctly paired heavy and light chain immunoglobulin genes from individual cePC ensured the subsequent resurrection of their original antigen specificity. Immunofluorescence stainings of MS lesion tissue with MS-mAb revealed myelin reactivity in the cePC repertoire of all four patients and intracellular filament reactivity in one patient. While myelin staining by MS-mAb was only rarely detectable in non-MS CNS white matter tissue, it was greatly enhanced at the edge of demyelinating lesions in MS brain tissue. Our findings provide conclusive evidence for the presence of an antigen-driven B cell response in the CSF of MS patients directed against epitopes present in areas of myelin degradation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / metabolism
  • Autoantibodies / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Autoantibodies / immunology*
  • Autoantibodies / metabolism
  • Brain / immunology*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / cytology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / immunology
  • Colon / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / metabolism
  • Myelin Sheath / immunology*
  • Myelin Sheath / metabolism
  • Plasma Cells / immunology*
  • Plasma Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Autoantibodies