Dimethyl fumarate impairs differentiated B cells and fosters central nervous system integrity in treatment of multiple sclerosis.

ABSTRACT: In multiple sclerosis (MS), the effect of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) treatment is primarily attributed to its capacity to dampen pathogenic T cells. Here, we tested whether DMF also modulates B cells, which are newly recognized key players in MS, and to which extent DMF restricts ongoing loss of oligodendrocytes and axons in the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, blood samples and brain tissue from DMF-treated MS patients were analyzed by flow cytometry or histopathological examination, respectively. Complementary mechanistic studies were conducted in inflammatory as well as non-inflammatory CNS demyelinating mouse models. In this study, DMF reduced the frequency of antigen-experienced and memory B cells and rendered remaining B cells less prone to activation and production of pro-infla

SUBMITTER: Traub J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6849574 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature