Lack of specific T- and B-cell clonal expansions in multiple sclerosis patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

ABSTRACT: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare, potentially devastating myelin-degrading disease caused by the JC virus. PML occurs preferentially in patients with compromised immune system, but has been also observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with disease-modifying drugs. We characterized T and B cells in 5 MS patients that developed PML, 4 during natalizumab therapy and one after alemtuzumab treatment, and in treated patients who did not develop the disease. Results revealed that: i) thymic and bone marrow output was impaired in 4 out 5 patients at the time of PML development; ii) T-cell repertoire was restricted; iii) clonally expanded T cells were present in all patients. However, common usage or pairings of T-cell receptor beta variable or joining genes,

SUBMITTER: Bertoli D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6851145 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature