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A CD8 + NK cell transcriptomic signature associated with clinical outcome in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Harris, Kristina M.  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6957-514X
Smilek, Dawn E. 
Connor, Christopher  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1761-2412

Abstract

Abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with the majority of cases characterised by relapsing/remitting (RRMS) attacks of neurologic dysfunction followed by variable resolution. Improving clinical outcomes in RRMS requires both a better understanding of the immunological mechanisms driving recurrent demyelination and better means of predicting future disease course to facilitate early targeted therapy. Here, we apply hypothesis-generating network transcriptomics to CD8+ cells isolated from patients in RRMS, identifying a signature reflecting expansion of a subset of CD8+ natural killer cells (NK8+) associated with favourable outcome. NK8+ are capable of regulating CD4+ T cell activation and proliferation in vitro, with reduced expression of HLA-G binding inhibitory receptors and consequent reduced sensitivity to HLA-G-mediated suppression. We identify surrogate markers of the NK8+ signature in peripheral blood leucocytes and validate their association with clinical outcome in an independent cohort, suggesting their measurement may facilitate early, targeted therapy in RRMS.

Description

Keywords

Article, /631/378/371, /692/617/375/1666, /45/91, /38, article

Journal Title

Nature Communications

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2041-1723

Volume Title

12

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group UK
Sponsorship
RCUK | Medical Research Council (MRC) (MR/L019027)
Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Division of Intramural Research of the NIAID) (UM1AI109565)
Wellcome Trust (Wellcome) (104064/Z/14/Z)