AUTHOR=Moraes Adriel S. , Boldrini Vinicius O. , Dionete Alliny C. , Andrade Marilia D. , Longhini Ana Leda F. , Santos Irene , Lima Amanda D. R. , Silva Veronica A. P. G. , Dias Carneiro Rafael P. C. , Quintiliano Raphael P. S. , Ferrari Breno B. , Damasceno Alfredo , Pradella Fernando , Farias Alessandro S. , Tilbery Charles P. , Domingues Renan B. , Senne Carlos , Fernandes Gustavo B. P. , von Glehn Felipe , Brandão Carlos Otavio , Stella Carla R. A. V. , Santos Leonilda M. B. TITLE=Decreased Neurofilament L Chain Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Tolerogenic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Natalizumab-Treated Multiple Sclerosis Patients – Brief Research Report JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience VOLUME=15 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fncel.2021.705618 DOI=10.3389/fncel.2021.705618 ISSN=1662-5102 ABSTRACT=Background

Neurofilament Light (NfL) chain levels in both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum have been correlated with the reduction of axonal damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with Natalizumab (NTZ). However, little is known about the function of plasmacytoid cells in NTZ-treated MS patients.

Objective

To evaluate CSF NfL, serum levels of soluble-HLA-G (sHLA-G), and eventual tolerogenic behavior of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in MS patients during NTZ treatment.

Methods

CSF NfL and serum sHLA-G levels were measured using an ELISA assay, while pDCs (BDCA-2+) were accessed through flow cytometry analyses.

Results

CSF levels of NfL were significantly reduced during NTZ treatment, while the serum levels of sHLA-G were increased. Moreover, NTZ treatment enhanced tolerogenic (HLA-G+, CD274+, and HLA-DR+) molecules and migratory (CCR7+) functions of pDCs in the peripheral blood.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that NTZ stimulates the production of molecules with immunoregulatory function such as HLA-G and CD274 programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) which may contribute to the reduction of axonal damage represented by the decrease of NfL levels in patients with MS.