Germinal center exclusion of autoreactive B cells is defective in human systemic lupus erythematosus
J. Clin. Invest. Amedeo Cappione, et al. 115:3205 doi:10.1172/JCI24179 [Go to this article.]

Figure 2
9G4 B cells are expanded in the post-GC compartments. (A) FACS analysis of PBL CD19⁺ B cells from active SLE patients stained with CD27, IgG, and 9G4 antibodies. A large increase in IgG 9G4 memory cells was demonstrated in SLE as compared with the very low levels typical of healthy subjects. Two representative SLE examples are shown. (B) For these same patients, CD138⁺ PCs were analyzed for cytoplasmic expression of the 9G4 idiotype and light chains or IgG. A large fraction of both total and IgG plasma cells in SLE were 9G4⁺.