Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: We performed PCR amplification and next generation deep immune repertoire sequencing of immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain variable regions (VH) from CSF and subsorted peripheral blood B-cell populations from two patients with limbic encephalitis and faciobrachial dystonic seizures associated with LGI1 antibodies. Bioinformatics clustering of related IgM-VH or IgG-VH transcripts was used to determine whether active B-cell diversification could be observed, and whether intrathecal B-cell repertoires, if present, were related to peripheral B cells. FINDINGS: We identified clusters of related Ig-VH transcripts in the CSF of both patients. Within these clusters there was a range of somatic hypermutations along the IGHV germline segment-derived portion. In addition, we identified a large number of closely related Ig-VH clusters that were common to both CSF and peripheral blood, including a small number of dominating Ig-VH clusters that might represent the most active clonally related B-cell populations. INTERPRETATION: Our data suggest that some B-cell affinity maturation occurs inside the CNS compartment in LGI1-antibody encephalitis. Somatic hypermutation rates point to a CSF antigen-driven activation of clonally related B cells that shape the intrathecal immune repertoire. The target antigen or antigens of these clonally related B cells remain unknown; our work continues to determine the relative contribution of intrathecally activated and peripheral LGI1-specific B cells in this autoimmune CNS disease. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust Intermediate Fellowship to SRI, Fulbright-MS Society, Epilepsy Research UK, BMA Vera Down Research Grant.
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Authors | Sarosh R Irani, Klaus Lehmann-Horn, Michael Geschwind, Shengzhi Wang, Angela Vincent, H-Christian von Büdingen |
Journal | Lancet (London, England)
(Lancet)
Vol. 385 Suppl 1
Pg. S46
(Feb 26 2015)
ISSN: 1474-547X [Electronic] England |
PMID | 26312868
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |