Memory B-cells in healthy and antibody-deficient children

Clin Immunol. 2009 Apr;131(1):50-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2008.11.008. Epub 2009 Jan 21.

Abstract

Recently it has become clear that a reduction of IgD-CD27+ memory B-cells in adult CVID patients correlates with clinical aspects of the disease. However, little is known about B-cell dysregulation in pediatric antibody deficiency. Reference values are essential for the interpretation of B-cell subpopulations in children. We present the clinical and immunophenotypical characterization of 16 children and adolescents with CVID and hypogammaglobulinemia. Reference values for IgD+CD27-, IgD+CD27+ and IgD-CD27+ B-cells in healthy children were established for five age groups. In healthy controls we found a continuous increase in IgD-CD27+ B-cell percentage with age from 1.35-5% of B-cells in the second year of life to 4.1-18.7% in adolescents. Interestingly, in 12/14 antibody-deficient patients memory B-cells are significantly below the age-related 10th percentile. We conclude that the reduction of memory B-cells is a useful additional marker for the detection of children with CVID hypogammaglobulinemia and may contribute to the early presentation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Agammaglobulinemia / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency / immunology*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology*
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Reference Values