Open AccessIntrathecal anti‐ CD 20 efficiently depletes meningeal B cells in CNS autoimmunity
Author(s) -
LehmannHorn Klaus,
Kinzel Silke,
Feldmann Linda,
Radelfahr Florentine,
Hemmer Bernhard,
Traffehn Sarah,
Bernard Claude C. A.,
Stadelmann Christine,
Brück Wolfgang,
Weber Martin S.
Publication year - 2014
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/acn3.71
Subject(s) - medicine , multiple sclerosis , intrathecal , encephalomyelitis , cd20 , b cell , immunology , central nervous system , antibody , autoimmunity , systemic administration , experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis , pathology , biology , in vivo , anesthesia , microbiology and biotechnology
Clinical trials revealed that systemic administration of B‐cell‐depleting anti‐ CD 20 antibodies can hold lesion formation in the early relapsing‐remitting phase of multiple sclerosis ( MS ). Throughout the secondary‐progressive ( SP ) course of MS , pathogenic B cells may, however, progressively replicate within the central nervous system ( CNS ) itself, which is largely inaccessible to systemic anti‐ CD 20 treatment. Utilizing the murine MS model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, we show that intrathecal (i.t.) administration of anti‐ CD 20 alone very efficiently depletes meningeal B cells from established CNS lesions. In SP ‐ MS patients, adding i.t. administration of anti‐ CD 20 to its systemic use may be a valuable strategy to target pathogenic B‐cell function.