Alterations in circulating T cell functional subpopulations in interferon-beta treated multiple sclerosis patients: A pilot study

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology 2020-02, Vol.339, p.577113-577113, Article 577113
• Main Authors: Monteiro, Andreia, Rosado, Pedro, Rosado, Luiza, Fonseca, Ana Mafalda, Paiva, Artur
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Follicular helper T cells; IL-17; Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis; Th/c1 cells; Th/c17 cells; Th/c2 cells
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.577113

Our work consists of a pilot study to characterize circulating Th/c1, Th/c2, Th/c17, Treg and Tfh-like populations and IL-17 serum levels of relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients treated with IFN-β, compared with healthy controls. In remission RRMS patients, we observe increased Th/c17 cells frequency committed to a Th1 profile and increased soluble IL-17 levels. Moreover, a shift toward Th/c2 with reduction of Tc1 cells and decrease in effector/terminal differentiated compartment of Th1 cells were also observed. Despite RRMS patients being an inactive disease phase, IL-17 and Th/c17 cells seemed to contribute to perpetuating chronic inflammation, besides the altered ratio Th1/Th2. [Display omitted] •The ratio CCR5+/CCR4+ on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells decreases in remission RRMS patients.•The frequency of Th17 and Tc17 cells increases in remission RRMS patients.•The IL-17 serum level increase in remission RRMS patients.•The frequency of IFNγ+IL-17+CD4+ T cells increased and IFNγ+IL-17−CD4+ decreased in remission RRMS patients.•The frequency of TNFα+IL-17+CD4+ and TNFα+IL-17+CD8+ T cells increased in remission RRMS patients.