What can blood cells tell us and how can we use this for new MS treatments?

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is underpinned by inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. Most treatments are directed towards a dysregulated immune system and attempts to prevent immune cells like B and T cells from targeting the body’s own tissue. However, these treatments disregard an important part of the immune system – the innate immune system. This is the body’s first line of defence when it encounters an invading pathogen, such as a virus or bacteria.

This project focuses on two innate cell types. Firstly, neutrophil granulocytes, which are the most abundant cell population in human blood and have multiple functions. It is now known that there are many types of these cells but how these relate to MS is unknown. Secondly, dendritic cells, which can moderate and direct the effects of B and T cells. They also come in different subtypes, some increasing and others decreasing inflammation.

By using a laboratory model of MS, Associate Professor Anne Bruestle and her team will investigate these different cell populations, their appearance and function in MS. In collaboration with industry partners, she has developed models to either specifically target innate immune cell populations of interest or alter their functions, and plan to explore these for their use in MS.

Associate Professor Bruestle and her team aim to also translate their findings into people with MS by correlating inflammatory and suppressive immune cell profiles found in the laboratory model with profiles generated from blood samples of people with and without MS. They anticipate discovering common factors that could be used as biomarkers (biological signs) for MS activity and potentially for treatment effectiveness. It is hoped this work will also inform the development of new treatments or repurposing of existing treatments for other conditions to broaden the therapeutic options for people with MS.