Plasma cells

[QUOTE=Andrew] In one of your posts, you mentioned that the plasma cells do not carry the CD20 marker and therefore are not targeted by Rituxan. Do you recall where you found that information about the plasma cells and the CD20. [/QUOTE]
welcome back:D
This is mentioned in the flyer that comes with Rituxan. I have a hard copy but I’m sure it can be found online too.
[QUOTE] Clinical pharmacology:… CD20… is not found on hematopoietic stem cells, pro-B cells, normal plasma cells or other normal tissues. CD 20 regulates an early step in the activation process for cell cycle initiation and differentiation, and possibly functions as a calcium ion channel. CD20 does not shed from the cell surface and does not internalize upon antibody binding. Free CD 20 antigen is not found in the circulation.[/QUOTE]
The source quoted is: Tedder [I] “The B cell surface molecule B1 is functionally linked with B-cell activation and differentiation.” [/I] J Immunology 1985;135(2):973-9 (I googled it, cited by others 80 times. CD20 is also called B1.)

I also found this in Horst Ibelgaufts’ COPE: Cytokines & Cells Online Pathfinder Encyclopaedia at
[COLOR=”Navy”]http://www.copewithcytokines.de/cope.cgi?key=CD20[/COLOR]
[QUOTE] This antigen is expressed specifically on B-cells. Expression in human B-cells is seen first in bone marrow pre-B-cells and persists until plasma cell differentiation (Stashenko et al, 1980, 1981; Loken et al, 1987). …CD20 functions as a Ca(2+)-permeable cation channel and is involved in cell activation and growth regulation of B-lymphocytes (Bubien et al, 1993; Tedder et al, 1985; Tedder and Engel, 1994). [/QUOTE]

Thanks for the list. I did not know quite a number of abbreviations. You probably know that HLA is another term for MHC in humans.

Take care