Fig. 4

Astrocyte-secreted factors impact responses of MS-relevant B cell subsets. a B cells derived from untreated SPMS patients were sorted into total CD20+ B cells, naive CD20⁺ CD27⁻ IgD⁺ B cells, transitional CD20⁺ CD24^high, CD38^high, and memory CD20⁺ CD27⁺ IgD^−/+ B cells and were then cultured either alone or with stimulated or unstimulated astrocytes in transwell, in serum-free medium X-Vivo 10 (n = 7). b B cell viability was assessed after 40 h of transwell co-culture using 7AAD and Annexin V staining; c CD86 MFI was determined by flow cytometry following 40 h in transwell co-culture. (two-way ANOVA test and paired t test; n.s. not significant; *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001)