In:
Multiple Sclerosis Journal, SAGE Publications, Vol. 22, No. 6 ( 2016-05), p. 741-752
Kurzfassung:
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes a highly prevalent infection which may have a multifaceted impact on chronic inflammatory disorders. However, its potential influence in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains controversial. The HCMV-host interaction may induce an adaptive reconfiguration of the natural killer (NK) cell compartment, whose hallmark is a persistent expansion of peripheral NKG2C+ NK-cells. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the HCMV-driven NKG2C+ NK-cell expansion is related to the MS clinical course. Methods: Multicentre analysis of NKG2C expression and genotype according to HCMV serostatus and time of assignment of irreversible disability scores in 246 MS patients prospectively followed up in our institutions. Results: NKG2C expression was unrelated to disease-modifying drugs, remained stable under steady-state conditions, and was higher in HCMV(+) NKG2C +/+ homozygous individuals. NKG2C+ NK-cell expansion in HCMV(+) patients, as compared to HCMV(+) or HCMV(–) patients with lower NKG2C+ NK-cells proportions, conferred a lower risk of progression in Cox regression analysis (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 〉 3.0, hazard ratio (HR)=0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.15–0.71, p=0.005; EDSS 〉 5.5, HR=0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.74, p=0.014). Neither HCMV serostatus nor NKG2C genotype appeared to be related to disability progression. Conclusions: HCMV may exert a beneficial influence on MS, decreasing the risk of disability progression in those patients displaying a virus-driven NKG2C+ NK-cell expansion.
Materialart:
Online-Ressource
ISSN:
1352-4585
,
1477-0970
DOI:
10.1177/1352458515601215
Sprache:
Englisch
Verlag:
SAGE Publications
Publikationsdatum:
2016
ZDB Id:
2008225-3
