Elimination of B-cells inactivates another type of immune cell and prevents
clinical MS in marmosets

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic disease that is characterised by damage to nerve cells in brain and spinal cord. The damage may be caused by specific cells of the immune system attacking the outer layer of the nerves. The exact mechanism underlying this phenomenon is unknown and drugs against the progressive development of MS are lacking

The marmoset shares many genetical, immunological and anatomical similarities with humans. It has been shown that a monkey type of MS could be induced in this animal species. This provides the opportunity to study the origin of MS and to test drug activity against the disease.

Rituxan is a promising drug against MS. It has been shown to inhibit the development of specific variants of MS in humans. Rituxan eliminates certain immune cells (the B-cells) from the body. However, how this results in decreased breakdown of the outer layer of the nerves in the human brain is unknown. Access to organs, necessary to investigate this, is limited in humans.

Since marmosets are more amenable to these type of studies researchers of the BPRC have tested the activity of a drug similar to Rituxan in this animal species. The drug was shown to be very active against MS in marmosets. Subsequently the influence of this drug on different cell types from the immune system was investigated. The results, published in the Journal of Immunology revealed that elimination of B-cells from the marmosets had an important impact on another type of immune cells. This type of cell, when activated, can cause breakdown of the outer layer of the nerves. Elimination of B-cells was shown to inhibit this activation. More insight into the cause of MS will offer more possibilities for development of drugs against this disease.