Ocrelizumab Alters Cytotoxic Lymphocyte Function While Reducing EBV-Specific CD8 <sup>+</sup> T-Cell Proliferation in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
Gianmarco Abbadessa, Maria Teresa Lepore, Sara Bruzzaniti, Erica Piemonte, Giuseppina Miele, Elisabetta Signoriello, Francesco Perna, Chiara De Falco, Giacomo Lus, Giuseppe Matarese, Simona Bonavita, Mario Galgani
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The role of B cells in the pathogenic events leading to relapsing multiple sclerosis (R-MS) has only been recently elucidated. A pivotal step in defining this role has been provided by therapeutic efficacy of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies. Indeed, treatment with anti-CD20 can also alter number and function of other immune cells not directly expressing CD20 on their cell surface, whose activities can contribute to unknown aspects influencing therapeutic efficacy. We examined the phenotype and function of cytotoxic lymphocytes and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific immune responses in people with R-MS before and after ocrelizumab treatment. METHODS: T and NK lymphocytes as surrogate markers of anti-EBV activity. RESULTS: T-cell proliferation in response to EBV antigenic peptides. DISCUSSION: and NK cells, whose reduced cross-activity against myelin antigens might also contribute to its therapeutic efficacy during MS.