CD19+ B cell counts were determined on whole blood after red blood cell lysis using mAbs specific for CD19 (BD Bioscience, San Jose, CA). Absolute numbers of B cells were calculated based on patient white blood count and the immunophenotypic data. Phenotyping analysis of B cells was performed by labeling blood lymphocytes with titrated volumes of anti-CD24 FITC (BD biosciences), anti-CD38 PE (Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, CA), anti-CD27APC/Cy7 (Biolegend, San Diego, CA). Cells were analyzed using a FACSVerse flow cytometer (BD Biosciences). The flow cytometer calibrated by methods described previously12 (link).