Targeting aryl hydrocarbon receptor functionally restores tolerogenic dendritic cells derived from patients with multiple sclerosis

J Clin Invest. 2024 Nov 1;134(21):e178949. doi: 10.1172/JCI178949.

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease characterized by dysregulated self-reactive immune responses that damage the neurons' myelin sheath, leading to progressive disability. The primary therapeutic option, immunosuppressants, inhibits pathogenic anti-myelin responses but depresses the immune system. Antigen-specific monocyte-derived autologous tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) offer alternative therapeutic approaches to restore tolerance to autoantigens without causing generalized immunosuppression. However, immune dysregulation in MS could impact the properties of the monocytes used as starting material for this cell therapy. Here, we characterized CD14+ monocytes, mature dendritic cells, and vitamin D3-tolDCs (VitD3-tolDCs) from active, treatment-naive MS patients and healthy donors (HDs). Using multiomics, we identified a switch in these cell types toward proinflammatory features characterized by alterations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and NF-κB pathways. MS patient-derived VitD3-tolDCs showed reduced tolerogenic properties compared with those from HDs, which were fully restored through direct AhR agonism and by use of in vivo or in vitro dimethyl fumarate (DMF) supplementation. Additionally, in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse model, combined therapy of DMF and VitD3-tolDCs was more efficient than monotherapies in reducing the clinical score of mice. We propose that a combined therapy with DMF and VitD3-tolDCs offers enhanced therapeutic potential in treating MS.

Keywords: Autoimmunity; Demyelinating disorders; Dendritic cells; Immunotherapy; Therapeutics.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / immunology
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Cholecalciferol / pharmacology
  • Dendritic Cells* / immunology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / pathology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Monocytes / immunology
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / immunology
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / pathology
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / therapy
  • NF-kappa B / immunology
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon* / agonists
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon* / immunology
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon* / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon
  • AHR protein, human
  • NF-kappa B
  • Cholecalciferol
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors