Subpopulations of B-lymphocytes in patients with primária progressive Multiple Sclerosis in treatment with monoclonal antibody against CD20 (ocrelizumab)

• Grant number: 19/02547-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: March 01, 2019
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Leonilda Maria Barbosa dos Santos
• Grantee: Breno Bandoni Ferrari
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/26431-0 - Multiple sclerosis, clinical study, neuropsychological, immunological, biomarkers and modifying-disease new drugs, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/12232-5 - Effect of natalizumab on the microRNA of regulatory B cells from patients with multiple sclerosis, BE.EP.DD

Abstract

B lymphocytes actively participate in the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) mainly in progressive forms of the disease. Autoantibodies can cause tissue damage in neurons contributing to neurodegeneration. B lymphocytes are antigen presenting cells that are much more efficient than the other antigen presenting cells, since the neuroantigen is specifically recognized by the BCR, processed and presented to the autoreactive CD4T lymphocytes. Furthermore, B lymphocytes produce pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines that amplify the inflammatory response. In addition, B lymphocytes predominate in the tertiary lymph nodes that have been described in the meninges of patients with progressive MS. In this study, it is our objective to study the response of subpopulations of B lymphocytes (cytotoxic and suppressor) in patients with progressive MS (primary and secondary). The study will emphasize treatment with monoclonal anti-B lymphocyte antibody (anti CD20, Ocrelizumab) and will be controlled with blood from patients with relapsing/remission MS and from healthy individuals. (AU)