Rituximab efficiently depletes increased CD20-expressing T cells in multiple sclerosis patients

A Palanichamy, S Jahn, D Nickles… - The Journal of …, 2014 - journals.aai.org
A Palanichamy, S Jahn, D Nickles, M Derstine, A Abounasr, SL Hauser, SE Baranzini
The Journal of Immunology, 2014journals.aai.org
In multiple sclerosis (MS), B cell–depleting therapy using monoclonal anti-CD20 Abs,
including rituximab (RTX) and ocrelizumab, effectively reduces disease activity. Based on
indirect evidence, it is generally believed that elimination of the Ag-presenting capabilities
and Ag nonspecific immune functions of B cells underlie the therapeutic efficacy. However, a
small subset of T lymphocytes (T cells) was shown to also express CD20, but controversy
prevails surrounding the true existence of this T cell subpopulation. Using single-cell …
Abstract
In multiple sclerosis (MS), B cell–depleting therapy using monoclonal anti-CD20 Abs, including rituximab (RTX) and ocrelizumab, effectively reduces disease activity. Based on indirect evidence, it is generally believed that elimination of the Ag-presenting capabilities and Ag nonspecific immune functions of B cells underlie the therapeutic efficacy. However, a small subset of T lymphocytes (T cells) was shown to also express CD20, but controversy prevails surrounding the true existence of this T cell subpopulation. Using single-cell imaging flow cytometry and expression profiling of sorted lymphocyte subsets, we unequivocally demonstrate the existence of CD3+ CD20 dim T cells. We show that in MS patients, increased levels of CD3+ CD20 dim T cells are effectively depleted by RTX. The pathological relevance of this T cell subset in MS remains to be determined. However, given their potential proinflammatory functionality, depletion of CD20-expressing T cells may also contribute to the therapeutic effect of RTX and other mAbs targeting CD20.
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