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An Ex vivo Model of an Oligodendrocyte-directed T-Cell Attack in Acute Brain Slices
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Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients exhibit differential natural killer functional subpopulations
Inês Rodrigues Barreto1, Andreia Monteiro1,2, Artur Paiva3,4,5
1CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506, Covilhã, Portugal.
Acta Neurologica Belgica
|March 5, 2024
Summary
Natural killer (NK) cells in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients show altered function and activation phenotypes, even during remission. These findings highlight NK cells
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic CNS inflammatory disease primarily considered T-cell mediated.
- Emerging evidence suggests a role for other immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, in MS pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify circulating NK cells and their CD56 dim and bright subpopulations in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients treated with interferon-beta (IFN-β).
- To characterize the functional phenotype and cytokine production (IFN-γ, TNF-α) of NK cells in RRMS patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to enumerate total NK cells and their subpopulations.
- Analysis included assessment of NK cell activation markers and intracellular cytokine production.
Main Results:
- CD56bright NK cells were the least abundant subpopulation.
- IFN-γ-producing NK cells and their subpopulations were significantly reduced in patients experiencing relapses.
- In remission, CD56dim NK cells from RRMS patients displayed elevated HLA-DR and CD54 expression, indicating activation.
Conclusions:
- Circulating NK cells in RRMS patients in remission exhibit an activated phenotype.
- These findings suggest that NK cells are potentially significant contributors to MS pathogenesis, even in the inactive disease stage.
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