@article{SimonIpekHomolaetal.2018,
  author    = {Simon, Micha and Ipek, Rojda and Homola, Gy{\"o}rgy A. and Rovituso, Damiano M. and Schampel, Andrea and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Kuerten, Stefanie},
  title     = {Anti-CD52 antibody treatment depletes B cell aggregates in the central nervous system in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis},
  series = {Journal of Neuroinflammation},
  volume    = {15},
  journal   = {Journal of Neuroinflammation},
  number    = {225},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12974-018-1263-9},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-176120},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) for which several new treatment options were recently introduced. Among them is the monoclonal anti-CD52 antibody alemtuzumab that depletes mainly B cells and T cells in the immune periphery. Considering the ongoing controversy about the involvement of B cells and in particular the formation of B cell aggregates in the brains of progressive MS patients, an in-depth understanding of the effects of anti-CD52 antibody treatment on the B cell compartment in the CNS itself is desirable. Methods: We used myelin basic protein (MBP)-proteolipid protein (PLP)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 (B6) mice as B cell-dependent model of MS. Mice were treated intraperitoneally either at the peak of EAE or at 60 days after onset with 200 μg murine anti-CD52 vs. IgG2a isotype control antibody for five consecutive days. Disease was subsequently monitored for 10 days. The antigen-specific B cell/antibody response was measured by ELISPOT and ELISA. Effects on CNS infiltration and B cell aggregation were determined by immunohistochemistry. Neurodegeneration was evaluated by Luxol Fast Blue, SMI-32, and Olig2/APC staining as well as by electron microscopy and phosphorylated heavy neurofilament serum ELISA. Results: Treatment with anti-CD52 antibody attenuated EAE only when administered at the peak of disease. While there was no effect on the production of MP4-specific IgG, the treatment almost completely depleted CNS infiltrates and B cell aggregates even when given as late as 60 days after onset. On the ultrastructural level, we observed significantly less axonal damage in the spinal cord and cerebellum in chronic EAE after anti-CD52 treatment. Conclusion: Anti-CD52 treatment abrogated B cell infiltration and disrupted existing B cell aggregates in the CNS.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BailNotzRovitusoetal.2017,
  author    = {Bail, Kathrin and Notz, Quirin and Rovituso, Damiano M. and Schampel, Andrea and Wunsch, Marie and Koeniger, Tobias and Schropp, Verena and Bharti, Richa and Scholz, Claus-Juergen and Foerstner, Konrad U. and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Kuerten, Stefanie},
  title     = {Differential effects of FTY720 on the B cell compartment in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.},
  series = {Journal of Neuroinflammation},
  volume    = {14},
  journal   = {Journal of Neuroinflammation},
  number    = {148},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12974-017-0924-4},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-157869},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background: MP4-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), which enables targeted research on B cells, currently much discussed protagonists in MS pathogenesis. Here, we used this model to study the impact of the S1P1 receptor modulator FTY720 (fingolimod) on the autoreactive B cell and antibody response both in the periphery and the central nervous system (CNS). Methods: MP4-immunized mice were treated orally with FTY720 for 30 days at the peak of disease or 50 days after EAE onset. The subsequent disease course was monitored and the MP4-specific B cell/antibody response was measured by ELISPOT and ELISA. RNA sequencing was performed to determine any effects on B cell-relevant gene expression. S1P\(_{1}\) receptor expression by peripheral T and B cells, B cell subset distribution in the spleen and B cell infiltration into the CNS were studied by flow cytometry. The formation of B cell aggregates and of tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) was evaluated by histology and immunohistochemistry. Potential direct effects of FTY720 on B cell aggregation were studied in vitro. Results: FTY720 significantly attenuated clinical EAE when treatment was initiated at the peak of EAE. While there was a significant reduction in the number of T cells in the blood after FTY720 treatment, B cells were only slightly diminished. Yet, there was evidence for the modulation of B cell receptor-mediated signaling upon FTY720 treatment. In addition, we detected a significant increase in the percentage of B220\(^{+}\) B cells in the spleen both in acute and chronic EAE. Whereas acute treatment completely abrogated B cell aggregate formation in the CNS, the numbers of infiltrating B cells and plasma cells were comparable between vehicle- and FTY720-treated mice. In addition, there was no effect on already developed aggregates in chronic EAE. In vitro B cell aggregation assays suggested the absence of a direct effect of FTY720 on B cell aggregation. However, FTY720 impacted the evolution of B cell aggregates into TLOs. Conclusions: The data suggest differential effects of FTY720 on the B cell compartment in MP4-induced EAE.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{BittnerBobakHofmannetal.2015,
  author    = {Bittner, Stefan and Bobak, Nicole and Hofmann, Majella-Sophie and Schuhmann, Michael K. and Ruck, Tobias and G{\"o}bel, Kerstin and Br{\"u}ck, Wolfgang and Wiendl, Heinz and Meuth, Sven G.},
  title     = {Murine K\(_{2P}\)5.1 Deficiency Has No Impact on Autoimmune Neuroinflammation due to Compensatory K\(_{2P}\)3.1-and K\(_{V}\)1.3-Dependent Mechanisms},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  volume    = {16},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms160816880},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-151454},
  pages     = {16880 -- 16896},
  year      = {2015},
  abstract  = {Lymphocytes express potassium channels that regulate physiological cell functions, such as activation, proliferation and migration. Expression levels of K\(_{2P}\)5.1(TASK2; KCNK5) channels belonging to the family of two-pore domain potassium channels have previously been correlated to the activity of autoreactive T lymphocytes in patients with multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In humans, K\(_{2P}\)5.1 channels are upregulated upon T cell stimulation and influence T cell effector functions. However, a further clinical translation of targeting K\(_{2P}\)5.1 is currently hampered by a lack of highly selective inhibitors, making it necessary to evaluate the impact of KCNK5 in established preclinical animal disease models. We here demonstrate that K\(_{2P}\)5.1 knockout (K\(_{2P}\)5.1\(^{-/-}\) mice display no significant alterations concerning T cell cytokine production, proliferation rates, surface marker molecules or signaling pathways. In an experimental model of autoimmune neuroinflammation, K\(_{2P}\)5.1\(^{-/-}\) mice show a comparable disease course to wild-type animals and no major changes in the peripheral immune system or CNS compartment. A compensatory upregulation of the potassium channels K\(_{2P}\)3.1 and K\(_{V}\)1.3 seems to counterbalance the deletion of K\(_{2P}\)5.1. As an alternative model mimicking autoimmune neuroinflammation, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the common marmoset has been proposed, especially for testing the efficacy of new potential drugs. Initial experiments show that K\(_{2P}\)5.1 is functionally expressed on marmoset T lymphocytes, opening up the possibility for assessing future K\(_{2P}\)5.1-targeting drugs.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Ortler2009,
  author    = {Ortler, Sonja},
  title     = {Die Bedeutung koinhibitorischer Signale in der ZNS Immunregulation: die Rolle des B7-Homologs B7-H1 (PD-L1)},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-34784},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2009},
  abstract  = {Das koinhibitorische Molek{\"u}l B7-H1 beeinflusst adaptive Immunantworten und ist vermutlich an den Mechanismen zur Aufrechterhaltung peripherer Toleranz und der Limitierung inflammatorischen Schadens beteiligt. Zus{\"a}tzlich kommt DZ eine entscheidende Bedeutung in der Entwicklung, Aufrechterhaltung und Regulation ZNS-spezifischer Autoimmunit{\"a}t und Inflammationsprozessen zu. Um den B7-H1/PD-1-Signalweg eingehender zu untersuchen, wurden adaptive Immunantworten und die Zielorgan-spezifische Infiltration im Modell der MOG35-55-induzierten EAE analysiert, einem Tiermodell der MS, das durch neurologische Sch{\"a}digungen und progressive Paralyse bedingt durch die inflammatorische Demyelinisierung im ZNS charakterisiert ist. Im Vergleich zu Wildtyptieren zeigten B7-H1-/- M{\"a}use einen beschleunigten Krankheitsbeginn und eine signifikante Steigerung des Schweregrads der EAE. Periphere MOG35-55-spezifische IFNg-/IL-17-Immunzellantworten traten in B7-H1-/- M{\"a}usen verfr{\"u}ht und verst{\"a}rkt auf, klangen allerdings auch schneller ab. Im ZNS persistierte jedoch eine signifikant h{\"o}here Anzahl aktivierter, Neuroantigen-spezifischer T-Zellen w{\"a}hrend allen Phasen der EAE, wobei diese Zellen ebenfalls gr{\"o}ßere Mengen proinflammatorischer Zytokine sezernieren konnten. Experimente mit APZ-assoziiertem B7-H1, die einen direkten inhibitorischen Effekt auf die Aktivierung und Proliferation MOG35-55-spezifischer Effektorzellen zeigten, unterst{\"u}tzen die Hypothese, dass parenchymale Expression von B7-H1 ausschlaggebend f{\"u}r das Schicksal von T-Zellen im Zielorgan ist. B7-H1 stellt damit ein Schl{\"u}sselmolek{\"u}l f{\"u}r die Kontrolle parenchymaler Immunreaktionen dar. Nachdem die Relevanz von B7-H1 auf APZ in vitro bewiesen werden konnte, wurde der Einfluss von B7-H1 auf systemisch oder intrazerebral injizierten DZ mit immunogenem oder tolerogenem Ph{\"a}notyp untersucht. Intraven{\"o}se Applikation von tolerogenen B7-H1-/- DZ resultierte in einer besseren Protektion gegen EAE, und dieser Effekt war von einer gesteigerten Produktion Tr1-/Th2-typischer Zytokine sowie einer verst{\"a}rkten Sekretion von IL-4 und IL-13 durch CD1d-restringierte T-Zellen in der Peripherie begleitet. Die Anzahl Neuroantigen-spezifischer T-Zellen, die proinflammatorische Zytokine sezernierten, war dementsprechend sowohl in der Peripherie als auch im ZNS reduziert. In diesem Zusammenhang konnte f{\"u}r B7-H1 eine wesentliche Beteiligung an der Inhibition der Aktivierung antigen-spezifischer, regulatorischer T-Zellen und CD1d-restringierter T-Zellen gefunden werden. Bei der Injektion intrazerebraler DZ bewirkten tolerogene DZ im Vergleich zu immunogenen DZ eine Reduktion der ZNS-Infiltration mit CD4+ T-Zellen in der fr{\"u}hen Phase der Erkrankung. Außerdem konnte eine Ver{\"a}nderung des intrazerebralen Zytokinmilieus von IFNg/IL-17 exprimierenden enzephalitogenen T-Zellen zu IL-10+ regulatorischen T-Zellen gezeigt werden. B7-H1-Defizienz auf APZ verst{\"a}rkte diesen Effekt und f{\"u}hrte dadurch in den M{\"a}usen zur partiellen Protektion gegen klinische Symptome der EAE. Zus{\"a}tzlich wurde die Beteiligung von B7-H1 an der Rekrutierung und ZNS-lokalisierten Induktion der Proliferation CD8+ regulatorischer T-Zellen durch DZ beschrieben. Unabh{\"a}ngig vom Ph{\"a}notyp der DZ wurde eine bereits in der fr{\"u}hen Phase vorhandene und dauerhaft expandierende Population von CD8+ T-Zellen im ZNS DZ[B7-H1-/-]-injizierter M{\"a}use gefunden. Diese Zellen konnten in vitro die Proliferation MOG35-55-spezifischer CD4+ T-Zellen supprimieren und wirkten so mutmaßlich an der Abmilderung der EAE mit. Zusammengefasst zeigen die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit die entscheidende Bedeutung von B7 H1 auf DZ als immuninhibitorisches Molek{\"u}l, das sowohl enzephalitogene als auch regulatorische T-Zell-Antworten moduliert und damit zur Limitation von Immunantworten beitr{\"a}gt.},
  subject      = {Multiple Sklerose},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Rott2005,
  author    = {Rott, Evelyn},
  title     = {Experimentelle autoimmune Enzephalomyelitis in beta2 Mikroglobulin knock-out M{\"a}usen : axonaler Schaden entsteht unabh{\"a}ngig von MHC-I Expression},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-19500},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2005},
  abstract  = {CD4 T-Zellen wurden lange als die vor allem pathogen wirkenden Immunzellen bei chronisch entz{\"u}ndlichen ZNS-Erkrankungen angesehen. Wir untersuchten die Wirkung von CD8 T-Zellen in der EAE (exp. autoimmunen Enzephalomyelitis = Tiermodell der Multiplen Sklerose) anhand von beta2-Mikroglobulin knock-out M{\"a}usen (fehlende CD8 T-Zellen). Ergebnis: im Vergleich zu den Wildtyptieren zeigten die Knock-outs eine signifikant st{\"a}rker ausgepr{\"a}gte Erkrankung bei der mit verschiedenen Antigenen (MOG, MBP) induzierten EAE mit erh{\"o}hter Mortalit{\"a}t. Histologisch fnad sich eine vermehrte Infiltration von Makrophagen und Mikroglia. Die Demyelinisierung war bei den Knock-outs st{\"a}rker ausgepr{\"a}gt, ebenso auch der axonale Schaden. Das Fehlen von funktionellen CD8 T-Zellen f{\"u}hrte demnach zu einer Verst{\"a}rkung der autoimmunen Gewebssch{\"a}digung im ZNS.},
  language  = {de}
}