BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are at risk of renewed disease activity after discontinuing natalizumab (NAT) treatment. OBJECTIVE: Assessing the implication of T helper 17 (Th17) cells in MS reactivation after NAT cessation. METHODS: We monitored frequencies of Th17 cells and interleukin (IL)-17 cytokine levels in blood samples of 57 MS patients, without, during, and after NAT exposure. RESULTS: Frequencies of both Th17 cells and, in part, also IL-17 levels, in peripheral blood increased under prolonged NAT therapy, returned to baseline after NAT withdrawal and became almost undetectable in blood samples of individuals who experienced relapses during the wash-out phase. CONCLUSION: Assessing the Th17-cell/IL-17 axis might help to predict rebound MS activity after NAT withdrawal.
BACKGROUND:Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are at risk of renewed disease activity after discontinuing natalizumab (NAT) treatment. OBJECTIVE: Assessing the implication of T helper 17 (Th17) cells in MS reactivation after NAT cessation. METHODS: We monitored frequencies of Th17 cells and interleukin (IL)-17 cytokine levels in blood samples of 57 MS patients, without, during, and after NAT exposure. RESULTS: Frequencies of both Th17 cells and, in part, also IL-17 levels, in peripheral blood increased under prolonged NAT therapy, returned to baseline after NAT withdrawal and became almost undetectable in blood samples of individuals who experienced relapses during the wash-out phase. CONCLUSION: Assessing the Th17-cell/IL-17 axis might help to predict rebound MS activity after NAT withdrawal.
Authors: Dan Hu; Samuele Notarbartolo; Tom Croonenborghs; Bonny Patel; Ron Cialic; Tun-Hsiang Yang; Dominik Aschenbrenner; Karin M Andersson; Marco Gattorno; Minh Pham; Pia Kivisakk; Isabelle V Pierre; Youjin Lee; Karun Kiani; Maria Bokarewa; Emily Tjon; Nathalie Pochet; Federica Sallusto; Vijay K Kuchroo; Howard L Weiner Journal: Nat Commun Date: 2017-11-17 Impact factor: 14.919