B-cell very late antigen-4 deficiency reduces leukocyte recruitment and susceptibility to central nervous system autoimmunity

Klaus Lehmann-Horn, Sharon A Sagan, Claude C A Bernard, Raymond A Sobel, Scott S Zamvil

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38 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Natalizumab, which binds very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), is a potent therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS). Studies have focused primarily upon its capacity to interfere with T-cell migration into the central nervous system (CNS). B cells are important in MS pathogenesis and express high levels of VLA-4. Here, we report that the selective inhibition of VLA-4 expression on B cells impedes CNS accumulation of B cells, and recruitment of Th17 cells and macrophages, and reduces susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. These results underscore the importance of B-cell VLA-4 expression in the pathogenesis of CNS autoimmunity and provide insight regarding mechanisms that may contribute to the benefit of natalizumab in MS, as well as candidate therapeutics that selectively target B cells. Ann Neurol 2015;77:902-908.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)902 - 908
Number of pages7
JournalAnnals of Neurology
Volume77
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

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