γδ T Cell Therapy Development for Multiple Sclerosis

γδ T cells are inflammatory cells composed of γ - δ heterodimers and play an important role in many autoimmune neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS).

Introduction to MS

MS is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system, CNS), which can lead to a wide range of underlying symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation, or balance. In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers, leading to communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. This can eventually lead to permanent neurological damage. The symptoms and signs of MS vary greatly, depending on the degree of nerve injury and the affected nerves. At present, there is no effective treatment for this disease.

Role of γδ T Cells in the Development of MS

According to the clinical manifestations of the disease, MS can be divided into relapse remission (RR), primary progressive (PP), and secondary progressive (SP). The infiltration of self-reactive immune cells from peripheral circulation to CNS plays an important role in the inflammation of MS. As MS is a complex disease with genetic and environmental triggers, immune homeostasis and tolerance are inevitable.

In the immunology of MS, autoimmune T lymphocytes targeting myelin protein are considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of MS. Some researchers have studied the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, an animal model of MS disease in mice. The transport of γδ T cells occurred before the onset of acute EAE. When they induce disease, γδ T cells are found immediately after they are transferred to the mouse brain, and promote disease pathology through direct cytotoxic effects on oligodendrocytes. In addition, some studies have shown that it has an obvious response to the vaccine and produces high levels of IL-2, TNF-α and IL-10, γδ T cells play an immunomodulatory role in MS.

Fig.1 Migration and effector function of T cells in the CNS during experimental EAE. (Fletcher, 2010)

What Can We Do?

Although we are not very clear about the pathogenesis of MS, it has been confirmed that γδ T cells are involved in the process of MS. This suggests that immunotherapy targeting γδ T cells may play an important role in the treatment of MS, and these cells can be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of MS.

At Creative Biolabs, we have launched a series of γδ T cell related services to help gain a deeper understanding of this unique T cell population, in order to provide new ideas for the research of MS disease treatment, including:

• γδ T Cell Development Services
• γδ T Cell Receptors Services
• γδ T Cell Engineering Services

If the above services do not meet your requirements, please contact us for your exclusive solution.

Reference

1. Fletcher, J. M., et al. T cells in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Clinical & Experimental Immunology. 2010, 162(1): 1-11.