Altered T cell phenotypes associated with clinical relapse of multiple sclerosis patients receiving fingolimod therapy

Sci Rep. 2016 Oct 18:6:35314. doi: 10.1038/srep35314.

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Fingolimod, a highly effective disease-modifying drug for MS, retains CCR7+ central memory T cells in which autoaggressive T cells putatively exist, in secondary lymphoid organs, although relapse may still occur in some patients. Here, we analyzed the T cell phenotypes of fingolimod-treated, fingolimod-untreated patients, and healthy subjects. The frequency of CD56+ T cells and granzyme B-, perforin-, and Fas ligand-positive T cells significantly increased during fingolimod treatment. Each T cell subpopulation further increased during relapse. Interestingly, T cells from fingolimod-treated patients exhibited interferon-γ biased production, and more myelin basic protein-reactive cells was noted in CD56+ than in CD56- T cells. It is likely that the altered T cell phenotypes play a role in MS relapse in fingolimod-treated patients. Further clinical studies are necessary to investigate whether altered T cell phenotypes are a biomarker for relapse under fingolimod therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fingolimod Hydrochloride / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / immunology
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / pathology
  • Phenotype
  • Sphingosine / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Fingolimod Hydrochloride
  • Sphingosine