Identifying CNS-colonizing T cells as potential therapeutic targets to prevent progression of multiple sclerosis

Kaufmann, M; Evans, H; Schaupp, A-L; Engler, JB; Kaur, G; Willing, A; Kursawe, N; Schubert, C; Attfield, KE; Fugger, L; Friese, MA

Journal article

Identifying CNS-colonizing T cells as potential therapeutic targets to prevent progression of multiple sclerosis

Abstract:: Background Multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), can be suppressed in its early stages but eventually becomes clinically progressive and unresponsive to therapy. Here, we investigate whether the therapeutic resistance of progressive MS can be attributed to chronic immune cell accumulation behind the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
Methods We systematically track CNS-homing immune cells in the peripheral blood of 31 MS patients and 31 matched healthy individuals in an integrated analysis of 497,705 single-cell transcriptomes and 355,433 surface protein profiles from 71 samples. Through spatial RNA sequencing, we localize these cells in post mortem brain tissue of 6 progressive MS patients contrasted against 4 control brains (20 samples, 85,000 spot transcriptomes).
Findings We identify a specific pathogenic CD161+/lymphotoxin beta (LTB)+ T cell population that resides in brains of progressive MS patients. Intriguingly, our data suggest that the colonization of the CNS by these T cells may begin earlier in the disease course, as they can be mobilized to the blood by usage of the integrin-blocking antibody natalizumab in relapsing-remitting MS patients.
Conclusions As a consequence, we lay the groundwork for a therapeutic strategy to deplete CNS-homing T cells before they can fuel treatment-resistant progression.
Funding This study was supported by funding from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft, the OAK Foundation, Medical Research Council UK, and Wellcome.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

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APA Style

Kaufmann, M., Evans, H., Schaupp, A.-L., Engler, J. B., Kaur, G., Willing, A., Kursawe, N., Schubert, C., Attfield, K. E., Fugger, L., & Friese, M. A. (2021). Identifying CNS-colonizing T cells as potential therapeutic targets to prevent progression of multiple sclerosis. Med, 2(3), 296–312.e8.

MLA Style

Kaufmann, M., et al. “Identifying CNS-Colonizing T Cells as Potential Therapeutic Targets to Prevent Progression of Multiple Sclerosis.” Med, vol. 2, no. 3, Elsevier, 2021, pp. 296–312.e8.

Chicago Style

Kaufmann, M, H Evans, A-L Schaupp, JB Engler, G Kaur, A Willing, N Kursawe, et al. 2021. “Identifying CNS-Colonizing T Cells as Potential Therapeutic Targets to Prevent Progression of Multiple Sclerosis.” Med 2 (3): 296–312.e8.
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