Protocol for improved resolution of plasma cell subpopulations by flow cytometry

Abstract

Plasma cells are rare cells that have been notoriously difficult to detect by flow cytometry. New advances have described B220+ CD138+ plasma cells in the bone marrow that are particularly difficult to distinguish between CD138 intermediate B220+ developing B cells. Herein we describe a novel method for detecting plasma cells in the bone marrow using a combination of CD138 and Sca-1 staining.