T cells producing GM-CSF and IL-13 are enriched in the cerebrospinal fluid of relapsing MS patients

Authors

• Laura Ghezzi, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA/Centro Dino Ferrari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy/Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
• Claudia Cantoni, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.Follow
• Francesca Cignarella, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
• Bryan Bollman, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
• Anne H. Cross, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA/Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
• Amber Salter, Division of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
• Daniela Galimberti, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy/Centro Dino Ferrari, University of Milan, Milan, Italy/Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
• Marina Cella, Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA/Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA.
• Laura Piccio, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA/Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA/Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune demyelinating disease. Its pathogenesis involves humoral and cellular immunity, with production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines by T cells. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cytokine profile of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) T cells in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and non-inflammatory controls. METHODS: T cell cytokine production was analyzed by flow cytometry in CSF samples collected from 34 untreated RRMS patients and 20 age-matched controls. Immunofluorescence studies were performed in spinal cord MS active lesions. RESULTS: Percentages of CSF-derived IL-17A, IL-17A/IL-22, and IL-17A/GM-CSF producing T cells were significantly higher in RRMS patients compared to controls. Percentages of T cells producing IFN-γ were lower in RRMS patients compared to controls. Patients in relapse showed higher percentages of CD4 T cells producing IL-13 and GM-CSF compared to patients in remission. We found a positive correlation between percentages of IL-13 T cells and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS; ρ = 0.5;  < 0.05). Meningeal IL-13-producing T cells were detected in spinal cord MS active lesions. CONCLUSION: We observed differences in IL-17, IL-22, and IFN-γ production by CSF T cells in RRMS versus controls and a positive correlation between IL-13-producing T cells and EDSS in RRMS patients.

Keywords

Multiple sclerosis, T cells, cerebrospinal fluid, cytokines

Medical Subject Headings

Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; Humans; Interleukin-13; Multiple Sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting; Recurrence; T-Lymphocytes

Publication Date

9-1-2020

Publication Title

Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)

E-ISSN

1477-0970

Volume

26

Issue

10

First Page

1172

Last Page

1186

PubMed ID

31237799

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1177/1352458519852092

Recommended Citation

Ghezzi, Laura; Cantoni, Claudia; Cignarella, Francesca; Bollman, Bryan; Cross, Anne H.; Salter, Amber; Galimberti, Daniela; Cella, Marina; and Piccio, Laura, "T cells producing GM-CSF and IL-13 are enriched in the cerebrospinal fluid of relapsing MS patients" (2020). Translational Neuroscience. 2347.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurobiology/2347