Open AccessCD5 expression on B cells may be an activation marker for secretion of anti‐myelin antibodies in patients with polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy
Author(s) -
EKERFELT C.,
ERNERUDH J.,
SOLDERS G.,
VRETHEM M.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1995.tb08362.x
Subject(s) - cd5 , antibody , myelin , immunology , monoclonal antibody , autoantibody , b cell , polyneuropathy , elispot , myelin associated glycoprotein , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , antigen , pathology , endocrinology , cd8 , central nervous system
SUMMARY B cells expressing the CD5 marker belong to a subpopulation with potential autoreactive properties. Increased proportions of CD5 + B cells have been reported in autoimmune diseases. In patients with monoclonal gammopathy and demyelinating polyneuropathy, the M‐component often consists of autoantibodies reacting with myelin components. We therefore investigated if CD5 + B cells were involved in the production of anti‐myelin antibodies. There was no difference of mean value of CD5 + B cells between patients and controls. However, the proportion of CD5 + B cells was significantly correlated with the amount of anti‐myelin antibodies. In seven patients, CD5 + B cells were enriched using an immunomagnetic technique. The number of CD5 + and CD5 − B cells secreting anti‐myelin antibodies was determined by ELISPOT. In two patients with high levels of antibodies, antibody‐secreting cells were mainly, but not exclusively, CD5 + B cells. In five patients with low levels of antibodies, most cells secreting anti‐myelin antibodies were CD5 − . We conclude that CD5 expressed on B cells may be an activation marker, reflecting B cells producing high amounts of anti‐myelin antibodies in patients with polyneuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy.