An intermediate level of CD161 expression defines a novel activated, inflammatory, and pathogenic subset of CD8(+) T cells involved in multiple sclerosis.

We report here that CD8(+)CD161(int) T cells present characteristics of effector cells, up-regulate cell-adhesion molecules and have an increased ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and to secrete IL-17, IFNγ, GM-CSF, and IL-22. We further demonstrate that these cells are recruited and enriched in the CNS of MS subjects where they produce IL-17. In the peripheral blood, RNAseq, RT-PCR, high-throughput TCR repertoire analyses, and flow cytometry confirmed an increased effector and transmigration pattern of these cells in MS patients, with the presence of supernumerary clones compared to healthy controls. Our data demonstrate that intermediate levels of CD161 expression identifies activated and effector CD8(+) T cells with pathogenic properties that are recruited to MS lesions. This suggests that CD161 may represent a biomarker and a valid target for the treatment of neuroinflammation.
PMID: 29054368 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Journal of Autoimmunity - October 17, 2017 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Nicol B, Salou M, Vogel I, Garcia A, Dugast E, Morille J, Kilens S, Charpentier E, Donnart A, Nedellec S, Jacq-Foucher M, Le Frère F, Wiertlewski S, Bourreille A, Brouard S, Michel L, David L, Gourraud PA, Degauque N, Nicot AB, Berthelot L, Laplaud DA Tags: J Autoimmun Source Type: research