Do immature white blood cells contribute to MS?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a long-term disease where the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord, leading to various symptoms.

While treatments targeting immune cells have improved outcomes for many people with MS, some still experience worsening symptoms over time despite these therapies. This suggests a need for better ways to track the disease and improve treatments.

This study looks at a type of white blood cell called ‘immature neutrophils’ in people with MS. Early research has found that people with MS have higher levels of immature neutrophils in their blood. Neutrophils are important immune cells that quickly respond to threats, but it’s not clear what role these immature cells play in MS.

Dr Stephanie Trend and her team aim to investigate the functions of these immature neutrophils and how they respond to current treatments. By learning more about them, the team hopes to find new targets for treatment, improve outcomes for people with MS, and develop better ways to manage the disease, especially in cases where it continues to progress even with treatment.