TY - JOUR

T1 - Peripheral helper T cells in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

AU - Hansen, Rikke Holm

AU - Chow, Helene Hojsgaard

AU - Talbot, Jacob

AU - Buhelt, Sophie

AU - Hellem, Marie Nathalie Nickelsen

AU - Nielsen, Jorgen Erik

AU - Sellebjerg, Finn Thorup

AU - von Essen, Marina Rode

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Background: Peripheral helper T cells (Tph) are likely implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. Tph cells share functions with follicular helper T cells, including plasma cell differentiation and antibody production. Objective and methods: To investigate a possible role of Tph cells in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), we used flow cytometry to analyze the function, phenotype, and central nervous system (CNS)-recruitment of Tph cells in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from controls and patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) and primary progressive (PP) MS. Result: This study identified two functionally distinct Tph cell populations and a regulatory counterpart, Tpr cells. No differences in blood frequencies, cytokine production, or potential to interact with B cells were found between controls and patients with MS. Along with an equal CNS-migration potential, we found both Tph cell populations enriched in the CSF; and surprisingly, an increased frequency of intrathecal Tph cells in the control group compared to patients with MS. Conclusion: Altogether, we did not find an increased frequency of CSF Tph cells in patients with RRMS or PPMS. Our findings indicate that rather than being involved in MS pathogenesis, Tph cells may be implicated in normal CNS immunosurveillance.

AB - Background: Peripheral helper T cells (Tph) are likely implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. Tph cells share functions with follicular helper T cells, including plasma cell differentiation and antibody production. Objective and methods: To investigate a possible role of Tph cells in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), we used flow cytometry to analyze the function, phenotype, and central nervous system (CNS)-recruitment of Tph cells in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from controls and patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) and primary progressive (PP) MS. Result: This study identified two functionally distinct Tph cell populations and a regulatory counterpart, Tpr cells. No differences in blood frequencies, cytokine production, or potential to interact with B cells were found between controls and patients with MS. Along with an equal CNS-migration potential, we found both Tph cell populations enriched in the CSF; and surprisingly, an increased frequency of intrathecal Tph cells in the control group compared to patients with MS. Conclusion: Altogether, we did not find an increased frequency of CSF Tph cells in patients with RRMS or PPMS. Our findings indicate that rather than being involved in MS pathogenesis, Tph cells may be implicated in normal CNS immunosurveillance.

KW - Multiple sclerosis

KW - peripheral helper T cells

KW - immunosurveillance

KW - immunology

KW - intrathecal antibody production

KW - multiple sclerosis pathogenesis

KW - B-CELLS

KW - GUIDELINES

KW - DIAGNOSIS

KW - CNS

U2 - 10.1177/13524585211067696

DO - 10.1177/13524585211067696

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35112578

VL - 28

SP - 1340

EP - 1350

JO - Multiple Sclerosis Journal

JF - Multiple Sclerosis Journal

SN - 1352-4585

IS - 9

ER -