Therapies for multiple sclerosis targeting B cells

Croat Med J. 2019 Apr 30;60(2):87-98. doi: 10.3325/cmj.2019.60.87.

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests that B cells contribute both to the regulation of normal autoimmunity and to the pathogenesis of immune mediated diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). B cells in MS are skewed toward a pro-inflammatory profile, and contribute to MS pathogenesis by antibody production, antigen presentation, T cells stimulation and activation, driving autoproliferation of brain-homing autoreactive CD4+ T cells, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and formation of ectopic meningeal germinal centers that drive cortical pathology and contribute to neurological disability. The recent interest in the key role of B cells in MS has been evoked by the profound anti-inflammatory effects of rituximab, a chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting the B cell surface marker CD20, observed in relapsing-remitting MS. This has been reaffirmed by clinical trials with less immunogenic and more potent B cell-depleting mAbs targeting CD20 - ocrelizumab, ofatumumab and ublituximab. Ocrelizumab is also the first disease-modifying drug that has shown efficacy in primary-progressive MS, and is currently approved for both indications. Another promising approach is the inhibition of Bruton's tyrosine kinase, a key enzyme that mediates B cell activation and survival, by agents such as evobrutinib. On the other hand, targeting B cell cytokines with the fusion protein atacicept increased MS activity, highlighting the complex and not fully understood role of B cells and humoral immunity in MS. Finally, all other approved therapies for MS, some of which have been designed to target T cells, have some effects on the frequency, phenotype, or homing of B cells, which may contribute to their therapeutic activity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antigens, CD20 / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Cytokines / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Rituximab / pharmacology
  • Rituximab / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antigens, CD20
  • Cytokines
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Rituximab
  • ocrelizumab
  • TACI receptor-IgG Fc fragment fusion protein
  • ofatumumab
  • ublituximab