Contribution of T Cells to Aging in People with MS

Start Term
End Term
Funding Amount
$300,000
Affiliation(s)
Centre de Recherche du CHUM
Geographic Region(s) / Province(s)
Quebec
Researcher(s)
Dr. Nathalie Arbour
Research Priorities
Progressive MS
Impact Goal(s)
Understand and Halt Disease Progression

Summary:

  • Age is the most significant risk factor in multiple sclerosis (MS) for disease progression.
  • Dr. Nathalie Arbour and team have identified a type of immune cell that is more abundant in the blood of older people with MS than in healthy individuals of similar age. In this study, the researchers will characterize this type of immune cell and determine whether it causes damage to the brain in people with MS. 
  • This research has the potential to identify novel pathways to treat progressive forms of MS.

Project Description: 
Age is the most critical risk factor for people with MS to develop disability and worsening symptoms. As humans get older, their internal organ systems and functions also age, including the immune system. The aging immune system drives chronic inflammation in the entire body, including the brain and spinal cord. Growing evidence suggests that aging of the immune system is faster in people with MS than in healthy individuals.

Dr. Nathalie Arbour and team have identified a type of immune cell that is more abundant in the blood of older people with MS than in healthy individuals of similar age. These immune cells, called T cells, contain both the CD8 and CD57 molecules (CD57+ CD8+ T cells). In this study, the researchers aim to understand this cell type in blood samples from people with MS of different age groups. They will investigate whether these cells cause damage to cells in the brain of people with MS.

Potential Impact: The findings of this study have the potential to identify novel targets and pathways to treat progressive forms of MS.

Project Status: In Progress