At present, autoimmune diseases like neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder cannot be cured, only managed. A recent study at Kobe University has revealed that the treatment for this disorder can influence the balance of immune cells in the body. This discovery could be a crucial step towards the advancement of personalized medicine for autoimmune diseases.The study reveals that the immune system changes the balance of immune cells, which could be a crucial step in creating personalized medicine for autoimmune diseases.
An autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. One example is neuromyelitis optica disorder spectrum (NMOSD), which causes inflammation of the central nervous system and leads to symptoms such as vision and sensory loss, weakness, and bladder dysfunction. The condition can flare up in episodes and is typically treated by suppressing the immune system’s response to inflammation. However, its precise biological mechanisms are still not fully understood.
Neurological action is complex and it is not fully understood why it does not work for some patients and how to determine which is the case.
CHIHARA Norio, a neurologist at Kobe University, specializes in the disease and has recently questioned: “B cells are a type of important immune cells that respond to inflammatory signals. In autoimmune diseases like NMOSD, they produce antibodies against the body itself, worsening the condition. Therefore, therapies that inhibit inflammatory signals were expected to alter the activity of B cells in NMOSD. However, we noticed that B cells were still present in the blood of patients after treatment.”The researchers wanted to explore the idea that the B cells were transforming into a different type. Chihara mentioned the existence of “regulatory B-cells,” which release anti-inflammatory signals and help regulate the immune system to prevent it from becoming overactive. These cells may also play a role in preventing flare-ups of autoimmune diseases. The team from Kobe University has now developed a model to study the immune cells during an NMOSD flare and track the drug’s impact on various types of B cells.In a recent study published online in Neurology® Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation, researchers found that the secretion of anti-inflammatory signals increased significantly in response to the drug. This suggests that the function of B cells, rather than just the number, is affected by the treatment. Additionally, the research team identified a molecular marker for B cells that produce anti-inflammatory signals, allowing for easier tracking of these cells. The study also noted that healthy individuals and those receiving effective treatment showed a higher proportion of these B cells.Chihara believes that the information gained from studying the T cells of people in remission from autoimmune diseases will help doctors assess the effectiveness of treatments and move closer to personalized medicine.
Looking at the broader impact, the neurologist from Kobe University believes that this research could lead to not just treatment, but a cure for autoimmune diseases. He explains that the key to autoimmune diseases is a breakdown of the system that prevents the body from attacking itself, and the ultimate goal is to restore this system and cure the disease.Autoimmune tolerance, and the findings of this research demonstrate a part of our efforts in this direction.”
This study was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grants 21K20871, 23K14778, 20H03562 and 23H02797), the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (grant 22ek0109436h0003), the Japan Science and Technology Agency (grants JPMJMS2299 and JPMJMS229B), and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Japan (grants 22gm1710005h0001 and 23gm1710005h0002). It was carried out in cooperation with researchers from The University of Tokyo.
