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Human B cell lines secreting IgM antibody specific for myelin basic protein
J W Zhang1, J Lambrechts, H Heyligen
1Department of Immunology, Dr. L. Willems Institute, University Campus, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Journal of Neuroimmunology
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Researchers developed stable human B cell lines producing IgM antibodies against myelin basic protein. This method efficiently identifies B cells specific for autoantigens like myelin basic protein in multiple sclerosis patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease targeting the central nervous system.
- Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a key autoantigen implicated in MS pathogenesis.
- Understanding B cell responses to autoantigens is crucial for MS research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish stable human B cell lines and clones secreting IgM specific for human myelin basic protein (MBP).
- To develop a method for efficient selection and quantitation of antigen-specific B cells.
- To assess the frequency of MBP-specific B cells in peripheral blood.
Main Methods:
- Utilized limiting dilutions of Epstein-Barr virus-transformed peripheral B cells from MS patients.
- Cultured B cell lines for stability and antibody production assessment.
- Quantified MBP-specific B cell frequency in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Main Results:
- Successfully produced stable human B cell lines secreting IgM anti-MBP antibodies.
- Cell lines remained stable for over 6 months in culture.
- Achieved antibody production of 5-12 µg/ml after 2 weeks.
- MBP-specific B cells (IgM+) found at a frequency of approximately 1/2500 mononuclear cells.
Conclusions:
- The described technique efficiently selects and quantifies specific B cell clones without prior selection or stimulation.
- This method is suitable for evaluating B cell responses to known and suspected autoantigens.
- The findings provide a valuable tool for MS research and understanding autoimmune responses.