Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
An Ex vivo Model of an Oligodendrocyte-directed T-Cell Attack in Acute Brain Slices
Published on: February 5, 2015
B-cell differentiation in the CNS of patients with multiple sclerosis
Anna Corcione1, Francesca Aloisi, Barbara Serafini
1Laboratory of Oncology, Department of Experimental and Laboratory Medicine, Scientific G. Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy.
Insights
Clonally expanded B cells in the central nervous system (CNS) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients suggest an in-brain germinal center reaction. These B cells may mature within the CNS, producing antibody-secreting cells that contribute to MS pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Clonally expanded B cells with mutated immunoglobulin variable genes are present in the CNS of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in MS patients shows enrichment of centroblasts and memory B cells compared to peripheral blood.
- Antibody-secreting cells (ASC) are detected in MS patient CSF and correlate with CNS inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and implications of germinal center-like reactions within the CNS in multiple sclerosis.
- To explore the potential for B cell maturation and antibody production within the inflamed brain environment in MS.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of B cell populations and their phenotypes in CSF and peripheral blood of MS patients.
- Assessment of antibody-secreting cells (ASC) in CSF.
- Correlation of B cell subset presence with markers of CNS inflammation.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests a germinal center-like reaction occurring within the CNS of MS patients.
- The inflamed brain may serve as a niche supporting B cell survival, proliferation, and maturation.
- Ectopic lymphoid structures might form in the CNS under certain MS conditions.
Conclusions:
- B cells likely expand and mature within the CNS during multiple sclerosis.
- These CNS-resident B cells, including ASC, may play an effector role in MS pathogenesis.
- The brain's inflammatory environment supports B cell activity relevant to MS.
Abstract:
Clonally expanded populations of Ig variable gene-mutated B cells are found in the central nervous system (CNS) of subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting the occurrence of a germinal center-like reaction. Recent studies have demonstrated that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients is enriched with centroblasts and B cells with a memory phenotype compared to peripheral blood. In the same individuals, antibody-secreting cells (ASC) are detected in the CSF and appear to correlate with CNS inflammation. These B-cell subsets are the output of a germinal center reaction, which is likely to occur in the CNS. Recent findings suggest that the inflamed brain can become a favorable niche for B-cell survival and proliferation and, under some circumstances, sustain the formation of ectopic lymphoid structures. Thus, B cells are likely to expand and mature inside the CNS, giving rise to ASC, which may play an effector role in the pathogenesis of MS.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction