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Treatment with ocrevus does not inhibit antiviral T-cell responses in persons with MS after SARS-CoV-2 infection
Multiple Sclerosis Journal ; 27(2 SUPPL):754-755, 2021.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1496059
ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has raised, among others, a particular concern for people taking immune-suppressants. The Italian MS Foundation (FISM), Neuroimmunology Association (AINI), Neurological Society (SIN), and MS Registry have constituted an Alliance to tackle these issues. In the field of multiple sclerosis, several reports have suggested a higher risk of infection and an increased severity of the disease in persons treated with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. Serological investigations, showing a blunted production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, questioned the usefulness of vaccination in these subjects, without, however, considering T cell responses. Objectives and

Aims:

To investigate antiviral T cell responses after infection with SARS-CoV-2 in persons with MS (pwMS) treated with Ocrevus.Control groups include pwMS treated with Ocrevus without SARS-CoV-2 infection, persons without MS with SARS-CoV-2 infection, and healthy individuals vaccinated or not with BNT16b2.

Methods:

Blood samples were collected and processed to isolate PBMCs, that were then stored frozen. PBMCs were stimulated with SARS-CoV-2 peptide pools and T cell reactivity was assessed by ELISPOT for IFNg detection, and by multiparametric FACS analyses for assessment and characterization of T cell activation.

Results:

ELISPOT assay against the spike and the N protein of SARS-CoV-2 displayed specific T cell reactivity in 80% pwMS treated with Ocrevus and infected by SARS-CoV-2, similar to infected persons without MS. FACS analysis following stimulation with SARS-CoV-2 peptide pools, showed the presence of activation-induced markers (AIM) in both CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets in 96% and 92% of these individuals, respectively. CD4 AIM+ cells were mostly central and effector memory cells, while CD8 cells were largely CD45RA+ terminally differentiated effectors (TEMRA) and poised for cytotoxicity, with a significant fraction of naïve cells. Within naïve AIM+ CD4 and CD8 cells we detected memory stem cells, suggesting the acquisition of long-term memory and protection from reinfection. COVID-19- recovered pwMS treated with Ocrevus had T cell responses comparable to healthy individuals vaccinated with BNT162b2, particularly concerning the ability to produce cytokines.

Conclusions:

B-cell depletion using Ocrevus does not impair the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 T cell responses. Multistakeholder initiatives are mandatory to rapidly obtain unbiased clinically crucial information.

Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Multiple Sclerosis Journal Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Multiple Sclerosis Journal Year: 2021 Document Type: Article