Interleukin-6 Signaling Blockade Induces Regulatory Plasmablasts in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.

Background And Objectives: Interleukin-6 receptor antibodies (IL-6R Abs), including satralizumab, are increasingly used to prevent relapse for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). However, the detailed mechanism of action of this treatment on the lymphocyte phenotype remains unclear. This study focused on B cells in patients with NMOSD, hypothesizing that IL-6R Ab enables B cells to acquire regulatory functions by producing the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.

Efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil for steroid reduction in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a prospective cohort study.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare autoimmune inflammatory disease that can affect multiple generations and cause complications with long-term prednisolone treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in preventing NMOSD relapse while reducing prednisolone dosage. The trial involved nine patients with NMOSD who received MMF along with prednisolone dose reduction.

Circulating plasmablasts and follicular helper T-cell subsets are associated with antibody-positive autoimmune epilepsy.

Autoimmune epilepsy (AE) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system with symptoms that have seizures that are refractory to antiepileptic drugs. Since the diagnosis of AE tends to rely on a limited number of anti-neuronal antibody tests, a more comprehensive analysis of the immune background could achieve better diagnostic accuracy. This study aimed to compare the characteristics of anti-neuronal antibody-positive autoimmune epilepsy (AE/Ab(+)) and antibody-negative suspected autoimmune epilepsy (AE/Ab(-)) groups.

Transcription Factor c-Maf Promotes Immunoregulation of Programmed Cell Death 1-Expressed CD8 T Cells in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Objectives: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. CD8 T cells are prominently found at inflammatory sites. Recent advances in understanding checkpoint molecules, including programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), expressed on CD8 T cells, highlight the immune regulatory roles of this T-cell subset; however, the role of CD8 T cells in MS is unclear.

Validation of the Guy's Neurological Disability Scale as a screening tool for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: Cognitive impairment is a common symptom affecting daily activities of the patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Various cognitive evaluation tests are available, yet most of them are complex and time-consuming to perform in outpatient clinics. In this study, we aimed to validate a Japanese version of the Guy's Neurological Disability Scale (GNDS) as a user-friendly tool to evaluate comprehensive disabilities in MS including cognitive function.

[Increased disease activity in a case of multiple sclerosis after switching treatment from fingolimod to natalizumab].

A 42-year-old woman diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 37 was initially treated with interferon-β IM. The frequency of clinical relapses was twice in 4 years. At the age of 41, due to difficulty in administering muscle injections, an oral medication fingolimod was started.