Natalizumab Promotes Activation of Peripheral Monocytes in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

In this study, we report that in patients with MS, NTZ treatment is associated with an enhanced activation status of peripheral monocytes. Results Expression of 2 independent activation markers, CD69 and CD150, was significantly higher on blood monocytes from NTZ-treated patients when compared with those from matched untreated patients with MS, while other properties such as cytokine production remained unchanged. Discussion These findings consolidate the concept that peripheral immune cells remain fully competent on NTZ treatment, an excellent asset rare among MS treatments. However, they also suggest that NTZ may exert nondesirable effects on the progressive aspect of MS, where myeloid cells and their chronic activation are attributed a prominent pathophysiologic role.
Source: Neurology Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Multiple sclerosis Clinical/Scientific Note Source Type: research