Open AccessInvolvement of cytotoxic Eomes-expressing CD4 + T cells in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Ben J. E. Raveney,
Wakiro Sato,
Daiki Takewaki,
Chenyang Zhang,
Takayuki Kanazawa,
Yaqiu Lin,
Tomoko Okamoto,
Mikiya Araki,
Yukio Kimura,
Noriko Sato,
Terunori Sano,
Yuko Saito,
Sadaaki Oki,
Takashi Yamamura
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2021818118
Subject(s) - multiple sclerosis , cytotoxic t cell , pathogenesis , granzyme , biomarker , medicine , immunology , biology , pathology , oncology , cancer research , immune system , cd8 , genetics , perforin , in vitro
Significance Multiple sclerosis (MS) can transition from a relapsing-remitting form (RRMS) into a chronic progressive form (secondary progressive MS, SPMS). SPMS pathogenesis remains poorly understood with diagnosis based entirely on retrospective clinical monitoring. We show that T helper cells expressing the transcription factor Eomes (Eomes+ Th cells) were significantly increased in peripheral blood from SPMS patients versus healthy subjects or RRMS and other progressive MS patients. Moreover, Eomes+ Th cells expressing granzyme B were found infiltrating brain tissues in SPMS autopsy samples, providing support for a pathogenic role. Analysis of clinical status on follow-up indicated the value of measuring Eomes+ Th cells for SPMS diagnosis and prognostic monitoring. This study may contribute to future development of biomarker-assisted “precision medicine” for MS.