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Amano E, Sato W, Kimura Y, Kimura A, Lin Y, Okamoto T, Sato N, Yokota T, Yamamura T. CD11c high B Cell Expansion Is Associated With Severity and Brain Atrophy in Neuromyelitis Optica. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2024; 11:e200206. [PMID: 38350043 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune astrocytopathy mediated by anti-AQP4 antibody-producing B cells. Recently, a B-cell subset highly expressing CD11c and T-bet, originally identified as age-associated B cells, has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the frequency of CD11chigh B cells per CD19+ B cells in the peripheral blood of patients with NMO and the clinical profiles including the brain volume. METHODS In this observational study, 45 patients with anti-AQP4 antibody-positive NMO in remission and 30 healthy control subjects (HCs) were enrolled. Freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed for immune cell phenotypes. The frequency of CD11chigh B cells per CD19+ B cells was assessed by flow cytometry and was evaluated in association with the clinical profiles of patients. Brain MRI data from 26 patients were included in the study for the analysis on the correlation between CD11chigh B-cell frequency and brain atrophy. RESULTS We found that the frequency of CD11chigh B cells in CD19+ B cells was significantly increased in patients with NMO compared with HCs. The expansion of CD11chigh B cells significantly correlated with EDSS, past relapse numbers, and disease duration. In addition, a higher frequency of CD11chigh B cells negatively correlated with total brain, white matter, and gray matter volumes and positively correlated with T2/FLAIR high lesion volumes. When the past clinical relapse episodes of patients with or without the expansion of CD11chigh B cells were compared, relapses in the brain occurred more frequently in patients with CD11chigh B-cell expansion. CD11chigh B cells had distinct features including expression of chemokine receptors associated with migration into peripheral inflammatory tissues and antigen presentation. CD11chigh B-cell frequency was positively correlated with T peripheral helper-1 (Tph-1) cell frequency. DISCUSSION Even during the relapse-free period, CD11chigh B cells could expand in the long disease context, possibly through the interaction with Tph-1 cells. The increased frequency of CD11chigh B cells associated with brain atrophy and disease severity, indicating that this cell population could be involved in chronic neuroinflammation in NMO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiichiro Amano
- From the Department of Immunology (E.A., W.S., A.K., T. Yamamura), National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (E.A., T. Yokota), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo; Department of Radiology (Y.K., N.S.); and Department of Neurology (Y.L., T.O.), National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Wakiro Sato
- From the Department of Immunology (E.A., W.S., A.K., T. Yamamura), National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (E.A., T. Yokota), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo; Department of Radiology (Y.K., N.S.); and Department of Neurology (Y.L., T.O.), National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukio Kimura
- From the Department of Immunology (E.A., W.S., A.K., T. Yamamura), National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (E.A., T. Yokota), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo; Department of Radiology (Y.K., N.S.); and Department of Neurology (Y.L., T.O.), National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsuko Kimura
- From the Department of Immunology (E.A., W.S., A.K., T. Yamamura), National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (E.A., T. Yokota), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo; Department of Radiology (Y.K., N.S.); and Department of Neurology (Y.L., T.O.), National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Youwei Lin
- From the Department of Immunology (E.A., W.S., A.K., T. Yamamura), National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (E.A., T. Yokota), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo; Department of Radiology (Y.K., N.S.); and Department of Neurology (Y.L., T.O.), National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Okamoto
- From the Department of Immunology (E.A., W.S., A.K., T. Yamamura), National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (E.A., T. Yokota), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo; Department of Radiology (Y.K., N.S.); and Department of Neurology (Y.L., T.O.), National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Noriko Sato
- From the Department of Immunology (E.A., W.S., A.K., T. Yamamura), National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (E.A., T. Yokota), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo; Department of Radiology (Y.K., N.S.); and Department of Neurology (Y.L., T.O.), National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takanori Yokota
- From the Department of Immunology (E.A., W.S., A.K., T. Yamamura), National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (E.A., T. Yokota), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo; Department of Radiology (Y.K., N.S.); and Department of Neurology (Y.L., T.O.), National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamamura
- From the Department of Immunology (E.A., W.S., A.K., T. Yamamura), National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo; Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences (E.A., T. Yokota), Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo; Department of Radiology (Y.K., N.S.); and Department of Neurology (Y.L., T.O.), National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
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Holm Hansen R, von Essen MR, Mahler MR, Cobanovic S, Binko TS, Sellebjerg F. Cladribine Effects on T and B Cells and T Cell Reactivity in Multiple Sclerosis. Ann Neurol 2023; 94:518-530. [PMID: 37191113 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cladribine tablet therapy is an efficacious treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), however, its mechanism of action on T and B cell subsets remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment effects of cladribine on the peripheral pool of T and B cells subsets and reactivity toward central nervous system (CNS) antigens. METHODS In this cross-sectional exploratory study, frequencies and absolute counts of peripheral T and B cell subsets and B cell cytokine production from untreated patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and patients treated with cladribine for 1 year were measured using flow cytometry. Autoreactivity was assessed using a FluoroSpot assay. RESULTS We found that 1 year after initiation of cladribine treatment, a lower number of CD4+ T cells was persisting whereas CD19+ B cell counts were normalized compared to untreated patients with RRMS. Follicular helper T cells and their effecter subsets producing cytokines exerting distinct B cell helper activity were lower and, additionally, the peripheral B cell pool was skewed toward a naïve and anti-inflammatory phenotype. Finally, reactivity to the recently identified CNS-enriched autoantigen RAS guanyl-releasing protein 2 (RASGRP2), but not to myelin basic protein and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, was lower in cladribine-treated patients. INTERPRETATION Together, these investigations on T and B cell subsets suggest that cladribine treatment impairs the B-T cell crosstalk and reduces their ability to mediate pathogenic effector functions. This may result in specific reduction of autoreactivity to RASGRP2 which is expressed in B cells and brain tissue. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:518-530.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Holm Hansen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Marina Rode von Essen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Mie Reith Mahler
- Department of Neurology, Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Stefan Cobanovic
- Department of Neurology, Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Tomas Sorm Binko
- Department of Neurology, Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Finn Sellebjerg
- Department of Neurology, Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Li ZY, Cai ML, Qin Y, Chen Z. Age/autoimmunity-associated B cells in inflammatory arthritis: An emerging therapeutic target. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1103307. [PMID: 36817481 PMCID: PMC9933781 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1103307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Age/autoimmunity-associated B cells (ABCs) are a novel B cell subpopulation with a unique transcriptional signature and cell surface phenotype. They are not sensitive to BCR but rely on TLR7 or TLR9 in the context of T cell-derived cytokines for the differentiation. It has been established that aberrant expansion of ABCs is linked to the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. Recently, we and other groups have shown that increased ABCs is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity and have demonstrated their pathogenic role in RA, indicating that targeting specific B cell subsets is a promising strategy for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of ABCs, focusing on their emerging role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory arthritis. A deep understanding of the biology of ABCs in the context of inflammatory settings in vivo will ultimately contribute to the development of novel targeted therapies for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Yu Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ming-Long Cai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yi Qin
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zhu Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Tomas-Ojer P, Puthenparampil M, Cruciani C, Docampo MJ, Martin R, Sospedra M. Characterization of Antigen-Induced CD4+ T-Cell Senescence in Multiple Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2022; 13:790884. [PMID: 35185762 PMCID: PMC8852676 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.790884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen-induced T-cell exhaustion and T-cell senescence are peripheral regulatory mechanisms that control effector T-cell responses. Markers of exhaustion and senescence on T Cells indicate the previous activation by repetitive stimulation with specific antigens. Malignant tumors are accompanied by enhanced T-cell exhaustion and T-cell senescence resulting in immune evasion, while these control mechanisms might be diminished in autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). To better understand the involvement of antigen-induced T-cell senescence in controlling CD4+ T-cell-mediated autoimmune responses in MS, we have analyzed the re-expression of CD45RA and the downregulation of CD28 and CD27 molecules as markers of antigen-induced T-cell senescence in fresh cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-infiltrating and paired circulating T cells from patients with MS. Patients with different levels of CD4+ T-cell senescence were identified and characterized regarding demographical and clinical features as well as intrathecal markers of neurodegeneration. CD4+ T-cell senescence was also analyzed in control patients to explore a putative deficit of this regulatory mechanism in MS. This study shows heterogeneity of markers of CD4+ T-cell senescence in patients with MS. Patients with high levels of CD4+ T-cell senescence in peripheral blood showed increased frequencies of CSF-infiltrating CD28+ CD27-EM CD4+ T cells with a proinflammatory Th1 functional phenotype. The correlation of these cells with the intrathecal levels of neurofilament light chain, a marker of neurodegeneration, suggests their relevance in disease pathogenesis and the involvement of T-cell senescence in their regulation. Markers of antigen-induced T-senescence, therefore, show promise as a tool to identify pathogenic CD4+ T cells in patients with MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Tomas-Ojer
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (NIMS), Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Puthenparampil
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (NIMS), Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neuroscience DNS, University-Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Carolina Cruciani
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (NIMS), Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - María José Docampo
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (NIMS), Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roland Martin
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (NIMS), Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mireia Sospedra
- Neuroimmunology and MS Research (NIMS), Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Mireia Sospedra
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