B and T cell imbalances in CSF of patients with Hu-antibody associated PNS

Miranda de Graaf, J Beukelaar, J (Jelmer) Bergsma, Jaco Kraan, Martin van den Bent, Markus Klimek, Yvette van Norden, A Kusuma, Peter Sillevis Smitt, Jan willem Gratama

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Abstract

In paraneoplastic neurological syndromes associated with Hu-antibodies (Hu-PNS) an important role for cellular immunity is hypothesized. We characterized the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis in Hu-PNS patients by assessing the major lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry. The B cell subset in the CSF of Hu-PNS patients showed a significant absolute (similar to 20x) and relative (similar to 3x) expansion, while the numbers of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and NK cells only showed an absolute expansion (similar to 4-7x) compared to the controls. On the other hand, the NKT cell subset showed a significant relative reduction in CSF and in blood of Hu-PNS patients. The relative B cell expansion is consistent with the intrathecal synthesis of Hu-antibodies, while the increased number of T and NK cells supports an additional role for cellular immunity in the pathogenesis of Hu-PNS. In addition, the autoimmune hypothesis of Hu-PNS is supported by the relative NKT cell deficiency. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)164-170
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Neuroimmunology
Volume195
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Research programs

  • EMC MM-03-44-06
  • EMC MM-03-86-12

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