Open AccessDimethyl fumarate alters B‐cell memory and cytokine production in MS patients
Author(s) -
Smith Matthew D.,
Martin Kyle A.,
Calabresi Peter A.,
Bhargava Pavan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
annals of clinical and translational neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.824
H-Index - 42
ISSN - 2328-9503
DOI - 10.1002/acn3.411
Subject(s) - medicine , dimethyl fumarate , cytokine , immunology , multiple sclerosis
We evaluated the effect of dimethyl fumarate ( DMF ) treatment on B‐cell memory and cytokine production in 18 patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis ( RRMS ) using peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained prior to and at 6 months post‐ DMF initiation. We noted a decline in the absolute B‐cell number with DMF treatment, with a preferential depletion of memory B cells and a concurrent increase in naïve B cells. We noted significant reductions in GM ‐ CSF , TNF ‐ α , and IL ‐6 producing B cells with DMF treatment. These effects on the B‐cell compartment may underlie the beneficial effects of DMF in RRMS .