Identification of a subset of B cells expressing the CD5 marker in humans

Abstract

Introduction: Development of lymphoproliferative disorders have been studied extensively, but the origin of subpopulations of B cells expressing the CD5 marker is stil! not fully understood. Of interest, Chronic Lymphobalstic Leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphomas are characterised by a subset of B cells that express the CD5 marker. Methods: A cohort of individuals (n=50) over 65 years of age and 20 neonatal blood samples were collected. Following mononuclear cell isolation, the cells were incubated with anti-CD5 (FITC), anti-CD19 (PerCP-Cy5.5), anti-k and anti-λ light chain. At least 200,000 events were acquired on a FACS Calibur equipped with a 488 argon ion laser and 635 red diode laser (Becton Dickinson) and analysed with the CellQuest software system (Becton Dickinson). The ratio of K+ and λ+ events was evaluated following gating of CD19+ subsets.