Development of novel therapeutic approach and realization of personalized medicine in multiple sclerosis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K15473
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52020:Neurology-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Kimura Kimitoshi 京都大学, 医学研究科, 特定講師 (10807093)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-12-19 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 多発性硬化症 / 個別化医療 / T細胞 / B細胞 / 血液浄化療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. The neurological burden accumulates gradually throughout the life after the onset of the disease typically at 30s. Plasmapheresis is used to treat the patients with MS, though the therapeutic response varies among the patients. It is still difficult to predict the response. We thoroughly analyzed the immune cells before and after plasmapheresis, and found that Th1 cell-CD11c+ B cell axis is closely associated with treatment response to plasmapheresis. The inflammatory phenotype of Th1 cells was ameliorated, and CD11c+ B cell frequency decreased after plasmapheresis. Th1 cell frequency showed a high predictive value, which may lead to the precision medicine in the future.

Free Research Field

神経免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、Th1細胞－CD11c+ B細胞の免疫機構の働きが目立つ多発性硬化症（MS）患者において、血液浄化療法の効果が認められることを見出した。血中のTh1細胞頻度を測定することで、個別化医療を実現できる可能性がある。また、CD11c+ B細胞の機能を詳細に解析し、病態への関与を示したことは、今後の新規治療開発に寄与するものと考えている。また、MSは罹患者の受ける影響が大きく、医療費等の社会的負担も大きい疾患である。上記により個別化医療を実現できれば、患者の身体的負担の軽減のみならず、医療費削減にもつながると考える。