Summary: A recent study demonstrates that CD8-positive T cells are important in the development of multiple sclerosis ( MS ) early. Scientists discovered that CD8 T cell exhibit certain changes before symptoms arise, including increased movement and disease campaign, when one twin has MS and the other twin is asymptomatic.
These tissues were discovered in both high-risk individuals with first inflammatory signs and MS patients, demonstrating their position as first disease facilitators. The results could pave the way for improved testing and methods of early MS detection and treatment.
Important Information:
- Before MS signs appear, CD8 T cells exhibit migrant and aggressive qualities.
- First CD8 T cell changes associated with MS beginnings were discovered in identical twin studies.
- These results may pave the way for early MS diagnosis and treatment.
Origin: LMU
Multiple sclerosis ( MS ) is a chronic inflammatory condition where the immune system attacks the central nervous system. This impairs the distribution of signals between the brain and body and can lead to imbalances in perspective, motor control, feeling, and cognitive deficits. The causes of MS are also incompletely understood.
In a , study  , of identical twins, a team led by PD Dr. Lisa Ann Gerdes ( Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology at LMU University Hospital and Biomedical Center ) has shown that a type of immune cells, CD8-positive T cells, play a role in the early stages of the disease.
The job is published in the journal , Science Immunology.
Although it is known that CD8 T cells are present in inflammatory regions of MS patients ‘ brains, it was vague what function they play. Are they merely a by-product or active promoters of disease? And what causes their blood to enter the central nervous system?
The LMU staff has then compared the CD8 T tissues of monozygotic twin pairs, one of which has MS while the other is undiagnosed, with the help of this special individual group.
The baby population allows the evaluation of high-risk individuals
Monozygotic twins provide a unique insight into this because these two variables are essentially identical and partly affect who may develop MS. They give researchers a chance to study the early stages of MS because the healthy baby has an increased risk (up to 25 % ) of likewise developing MS.
” It’s a unique opportunity to investigate high-risk patients before the disease manifests”, says Vladyslav Kavaka, first author of the paper.
Using innovative methods such as combining single-cell RNA sequencing and T cell receptor analyses, the researchers analyzed CD8 T cells from blood and , cerebrospinal fluid , ( CSF ) samples taken from the twin pairs.
Their findings demonstrate that CD8 T cells exhibit the same certain alterations in MS individuals and those who have early warning signs of the disease. In addition, they exhibit increased migration capacity, promote infection and present detection signs.
These characteristics indicate that these CD8 T cells are already moving into the central nervous system, where we encounter the same cells, according to Dr. Eduardo Beltrán, one of the lead authors. This cell type was discovered in the brain tissue of MS patients, which suggests that there will continue to be changes in the CNS.
The disease’s early stages are already visible.
Intriguingly, the same CD8 T cells did not only occur in people with MS. They were also present in people who had no symptoms but who had no other symptoms. Therefore, these cells might be earlier MS-predisposing agents.
These findings, in the authors ‘ opinion, could lead to new therapeutic options that involve influencing CD8 T cells to slow or stop the progression of MS. Additionally, CD8 T cells could be used to create novel diagnostic techniques that enable early detection of MS and put an end to irreversible nerve damage.
About this news from multiple sclerosis research
Author: Lisa Ann Gerdes
Source: LMU
Contact: Lisa Ann Gerdes – LMU
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
” Twin study uncovers early immunological and metabolic dysregulation of CD8 + T cells in multiple sclerosis” by Lisa Ann Gerdes et al. Science Immunology
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis ‘ CD8 + T cell early immunological and metabolic dysregulation is identified by a twin study.
Central nervous system ( CNS ) inflammation has a subclinical phase that precedes frank neuroinflammation, known as multiple sclerosis ( MS ). CD8+ , T cells are abundant within MS lesions, but their potential role in disease pathology remains unclear.
We compared CD8+ , T cell clones from monozygotic twin pairs with the cotwin having either no or subclinical neuroinflammation (SCNI ) using high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell T cell receptor analysis.
We identified peripheral MS-associated immunological and metabolic alterations indicative of an enhanced migratory, proinflammatory, and activated CD8+ , T cell phenotype, which was also evident in cotwins with SCNI and in an independent validation cohort of people with MS.
Our comprehensive single-cell analysis together uncovers potential immunological and metabolic therapeutic targets in both prodromal and definitive stages of the disease, as well as a disease-causing proinflammatory role of infiltrating CD8+ , T cells.
