Study data from C. Shi and co-authors update knowledge of immunology
2007 NOV 20 -- Research findings, 'Oligoclonal immune response in cerebral cavernous malformations. Laboratory investigation,' are discussed in a new report. According to recent research published in the Journal of Neurosurgery, "Mechanisms of cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) pathogenesis include genetic predisposition in some cases, but other factors are likely to be involved in lesion proliferation and clinical manifestations. Given the unique antigenic milieu of CCMs, there may be a characteristic immune response in these lesions." "We hypothesize that the immunoglobulin (Ig) fraction in CCMs reflects an oligoclonal immune response not present in paired sera from the same patients or in other types of cerebrovascular malformations Surgically excised lesions from five patients with CCMs, three patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and four normal brain control specimens obtained at autopsy were homogenized and extract tested for IgG clonality by isoelectric focusing in parallel with each patient's serum The authors detected B cells in all three lesions examined, and plasmacytes in two out of three lesions examined. Four of five extracts of homogenized CCMs showed an oligoclonal pattern of IgG distinct from the polyclonal pattern seen in those patients' sera. Immununoglobulin G oligoclonality was not seen in AVMs or control brain specimens The results of isoelectric focusing studies showed that CCM lesions had oligoclonal patterns of IgG unrelated to peripheral blood contamination, indicating selective synthesis of IgG within the lesions," wrote C. Shi and colleagues, . The researchers concluded: "This finding probably reflects a clonal expansion of B cells and/or plasmacytes in CCMs, an event that might be antigen-driven or a potential marker of inflammation." Shi and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Neurosurgery (Oligoclonal immune response in cerebral cavernous malformations. Laboratory investigation. Journal of Neurosurgery, 2007;107(5):1023-6). For additional information, contact C. Shi, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Dept. of Neurological Surgery, Illinois 60201 USA.. The publisher's contact information for the Journal of Neurosurgery is: American Association Neurological Surgeons, University Virginia, 1224 West Main St., Ste. 450, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA. Keywords: United States, Immunology, Neurosurgery. This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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