Flow Cytometry Analysis of Peripheral Blood B Cell Distribution of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system (CNS) disease characterized by autoimmune inflammation and neurodegeneration. Damage to the CNS is thought to be mediated predominantly by activated pro-inflammatory T cells and antibody secreting B cells. Strong evidence of B cell functions in MS pathogenesis has come from trials of B cell-depleting treatment. In this study, the peripheral blood frequencies of B cell subsets were measured using flow cytometry in patients to determine the disease-specific B cell differences that might be associated with the evolution to progressive forms of MS.