Abstract
Analyses have shown that the repertoire of Ig heavy chain sequences (VH) expressed in multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques or cerebrospinal fluid is consistent with B cell clonal expansion and affinity maturation. PCR amplification of VH sequences from MS lesions obtained from an acute MS patient at autopsy revealed oligoclonal and extensively mutated VH sequences from plaque-periplaque regions with discrete intraclonal differences indicative of B cell clonal expansion in the groups of overrepresented major sequences. None of the VH sequences expressed in plaque regions were detected in peripheral blood lymphocytes from this patient. These data indicate the presence of a CNS-targeted antigen-driven response in MS plaques.
Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Autoantibodies / genetics*
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Autoimmune Diseases / blood
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Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
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Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
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B-Lymphocyte Subsets / pathology
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Blood Cells / immunology
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Brain / immunology*
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Brain / pathology
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Clone Cells / immunology
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Clone Cells / pathology
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DNA Mutational Analysis
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Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain*
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Genes, Immunoglobulin*
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin G / analysis*
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Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / genetics*
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Immunoglobulin Variable Region / genetics
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Multiple Sclerosis / blood
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Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
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Multiple Sclerosis / pathology
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Point Mutation
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Sequence Alignment
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Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
Substances
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Autoantibodies
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Immunoglobulin G
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Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains
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Immunoglobulin Variable Region