Identification and characterization of plasma cells in normal human bone
marrow by high-resolution flow cytometry
LW Terstappen, S Johnsen, IM Segers-Nolten and MR Loken
Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems, CA 95131.
The low frequency of plasma cells and the lack of specific cell surface
markers has been a major obstacle for a detailed characterization of plasma
cells in normal human bone marrow. Multiparameter flow cytometry enabled
the identification of plasma cells in normal bone marrow aspirates. The
plasma cells were located in a unique position in the correlation of
forward light scattering, orthogonal light scattering, and
immunofluorescent-labeled CD38. The identity of the sorted cell populations
was confirmed by microscopic examination of Wright's stained slides and
slides stained for cytoplasmic immunoglobulin using polyclonal antibodies
reactive with light chains; ie, anti-kappa fluorescein isothiocyanate and
anti lambda phycoerythrin (PE). The purity of the sorted plasma cells was
greater than 97% (n = 4). The average frequency of plasma cells in normal
bone marrow aspirates was low--0.25% of the nucleated cells (n = 7)--but
surprisingly consistent between individuals (SD = .05; range 0.14% to
0.30%). A detailed analysis showed two distinct populations of plasma
cells: (1) A population relatively smaller by forward light scattering
expressed CD22, CD35, and sigE and was identified as early plasma cells
(ie, lymphoplasmacytoid), and (2) a population larger by forward light
scattering lacked these markers and was identified as mature plasma cells.
The antigenic profile of the normal plasma cells was determined in
two-color immunofluorescence studies. The expression of cell surface
immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, IgE, IgD, IgM, and the cell surface antigens
CD10, CD11b, CD13, CD11c, CD14, CD15, CD16, CD19, CD22, CD20, CD33, CD35,
CD45, and HLA-DR was determined on the plasma cells. A significant
heterogeneity in cell surface antigen expression was observed within the
plasma cell population. Unexpectedly, myeloid- specific cell surface
antigens such as CD33 and CD13 and the early B- cell antigen identified by
CD10 were expressed on a proportion of plasma cells. These observations
imply that the association of myeloid and early B-cell markers described in
multiple myeloma may not be associated with the neoplasia but is a normal
phenomenon.
Volume 76,
Issue 9,
pp. 1739-1747,
11/01/1990
Copyright © 1990 by The American Society of Hematology
