Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2007

Mentor: Nancy Monson, PhD
Department: Neurology and Immunology
Room number: J3.134F
Mail Code: 9036
Phone number: 214-648-9413
E-mail: nancy.monson@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: Characteristics of Neuro-antigen Specific B cells from patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): 0200-098

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): NA

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects) Patient based

Brief Description of Project:

Our laboratory and others have demonstrated that B cells and antibodies in spinal fluid of MS patients are reactive to several different neuro-antigens. Two of these neuro-antigens, Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) are particularly interesting for several reasons. Our goal for this project is to determine if B cells that react to these two neuro-antigens use particular antibody genes. In order to address this question, we will use flow cytometry based sorting to isolate the MOG and MBP reactive B cells from the peripheral blood of patients with MS. These populations will then be re-sorted 1 cell per well into 96 well PCR plates and individual antibody rearrangements amplified by a multi-parameter PCR method. Sequences will be obtained and the repertoires compared to healthy donor antibody repertoires already established in the lab. We predict that MOG and MBP reactive B cells will utilize a limited set of V genes in comparison to the overall peripheral B cell repertoire. These particular V genes may become useful targets for immunotherapy development.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

None

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