“B cells as multifactorial players in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis: insights from therapeutics”

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis (MS), B-cells

This study focused on two important objectives: determining the influence of MS treatments on different B-cell (immune cell) functions in MS patients and determine the role of the B-cells involved in immune aging in patients with MS. 

First, the effects of the initial oral MS treatment (Fingolimod) were examined. Fingolimod treatment causes a shift from a pro-inflammatory (MS-promoting) B-cell profile to an anti-inflammatory (MS-inhibiting) B-cell profile. It was also found that B-cells could induce T-cells through the antigen presentation and co-stimulation of the T-cells. This effect was offset by several MS treatments. This study also demonstrated that a larger proportion of MS patients aged 60 and under showed expansions of B-cells associated with immune aging compared to control subjects of the same age. Further research is needed to determine how these cells contribute to MS disease progression.