Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2026
Generation of Discriminative Human Monoclonal Antibodies from Rare Antigen-specific B Cells Circulating in Blood
Published on: February 6, 2018
Variability in B-cell antigen expression: implications for the treatment of B-cell lymphomas and leukemias with
E D Rossmann1, J Lundin, R Lenkei
1Department of Oncology (Radiumhemmet), Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Objectives:
Antigen expression intensity is becoming important for decision-making in relation to monoclonal antibody therapy. By quantifying CD20, CD22 and CD52 expression on chronic lymphocytic leukemia and normal (control) B cells, over time. The effect of Interleukin-4 therapy on CD20 antigen intensity on B-CLL cells in vivo was also determined.
Methods:
Lymphocytes were purified at weeks 0, 4 and 8 from five B-CLL patients, five healthy volunteers and seven B-CLL patients receiving IL-4 therapy. The number of antigen receptor sites was calculated in molecules of equivalent soluble fluorochrome using flow cytometry.
Results:
The mean number of CD20 receptors at baseline was significantly lower on B-CLL cells compared to normal B cells (8160 vs 87 046; P<0.0001). Similar results were obtained for CD22 (8630 vs 27 647; P<0.01), but not for CD52 (371 303 vs 409 484; P = 0.54). When soluble fluorochrome values at weeks 4 and 8 were analysed as change in per cent from baseline (delta%), there was <10 delta% variability in CD20 expression on control B cells, but considerable variability (22.5-67.5 delta%) on B-CLL cells. Expression of CD22 in CLL and control B cells varied by <15 delta%. CD52 on CLL B cells showed slightly greater variability (+/-35 delta%) than that of CD22 (+/-15delta%), but less than that of CD20. IL-4 therapy did not consistently increase the CD20 expression on B-CLL cells in vivo.
Conclusion:
Our data confirm differences in intensity between different target antigens on B-CLL cells, and draws attention to the fact that a substantial variability may occur over time, which may influence clinical decision-making. Caution must be taken when interpreting in vitro results on cytokine-mediated receptor intensity up-regulation.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Hybridoma Technology
Hybridoma Selection
Commonly used fusion techniques — electroporation, polyethylene glycol...
01:20Special Features of Adaptive Immunity
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
01:23Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
01:28Diversity of Antigen Receptors
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
01:24B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...