Impact of Anti-CD20 therapies on the immune homeostasis of gastrointestinal mucosa and their relationship with de novo intestinal bowel disease in multiple sclerosis: a review.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are autoimmune disorders characterized by inflammatory episodes affecting the brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, respectively. The frequent association between MS and IBD suggests that both conditions may share common pathogenic mechanisms. However, different responses to biological therapies indicate differences in immune mechanisms of inflammation. Anti-CD20 therapies are high efficacy treatments increasingly used to control inflammatory bursts in MS, but they may alter GI homeostasis and promote the development of bowel inflammation in susceptible individuals. This review analyzes the mechanistic association between immunity in MS and IBD, the effect of anti-CD20 therapies on the gut microenvironment, and provides recommendations for early detection and management of GI toxicities in the context of B-cell depletion in MS patients.

Patient's perspective in clinical practice to assess and predict disability in multiple sclerosis.

The information provided by a person with multiple sclerosis (MS) may anticipate changes in the course of the disease. To explore the role of a set of standardized patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in predicting disability progression in MS an observational study was conducted in two cohorts of 30 and 86 persons with progressive MS (pwPMS) and relapsing MS (pwRMS), respectively. The associations between baseline clinical, biochemical variables and results on MS quality of life scale (MusiQol), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) were analyzed. The progression of disability after 2 years of follow-up in pwRMS was investigated. We show that PRO differentiated pwRMS and pwPMS cohorts with lower MusiQoL and higher MFIS and BDI-II scores in the latter. Only MFIS was correlated with disability in pwRMS and high scores in the physical MFIS domain associated with worse performance in 9HPT, and a trend in T25FW and SDMT. Instead, the cognitive MFIS domain was correlated with CHI3L1 in cerebrospinal fluid, a biomarker of progression. At the end of the study, global MFIS and BDI-II were found to be independent risk factors for disability independent of relapse. Although all PRO measures explored were altered in pwPMS, baseline MFIS discriminated current and prospective disability in pwRMS, identifying patients at risk of progression.

NFL during acute spinal cord lesions in MS: a hurdle for the detection of inflammatory activity.

INTRODUCTION: Levels of neuro-filament light chain (NFL) correlate with clinical and radiological activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) and have been used as a surrogate biomarker of axonal destruction related to inflammatory activity. The main objective of this work is to explore the specific contribution of acute inflammation within the spinal cord to the elevation of NFL levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MS patients with a baseline study of NFL at diagnosis of the disease and a brain and spinal cord MRI scan were selected. Patients were classified according to the presence, number and location of gadolinium enhancing lesion (GEL) and the relationship between NFL levels and both brain and spinal cord GEL were explored. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were selected. NFL levels were significantly higher in patients with only one GEL restricted to the brain than those without GEL (1702 pg/ml vs 722.7 pg/mL, p = 0.03) and correlated with number. However, no differences were seen among patients with GEL limited to the spinal cord and those without GEL (735.2 pg/ml vs 722.7 pg/mL). CONCLUSION: Our study reaffirms the value of NFL levels in monitoring asymptomatic inflammatory activity in the brain measured by GEL. However, NFL concentration is not as useful when only inflammatory activity occurs in the spinal cord.

Valor de la secuencia de susceptibilidad magnética en formas subagudas de embolismo graso cerebral / Usefulness of susceptibility-weighted imaging in subacute cerebral fat embolism

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Desarrollo y optimización de un modelo animal para el estudio de las células ganglionares en enfermedad degenerativa de la retina y nervio óptico / Development and optimisation of an animal model for the study of ganglion cells in degenerative diseases of the retina and optic nerve

Introducción: La esclerosis múltiple es una enfermedad autoinmune, crónica e inflamatoria del sistema nervioso central con desmielinización axonal, gliosis y neurodegeneración. Considerada una causa frecuente de discapacidad neurológica en adultos jóvenes. En este trabajo, se ha optimizado un modelo de encefalomielitis autoinmune experimental (EAE), mediante la inyección de glicoproteína mielínica de los oligodendrocitos (MOG35-55), se han estudiado las repercusiones oftalmológicas, y se plantea su uso como modelo de experimentación en otros estudios de degeneración de las células ganglionares (CGR) y del nervio óptico (NO). Material y métodos: Dieciséis ratones de 10 semanas en 2 grupos de estudio: grupo control 10 animales y grupo con EAE 6 animales. Al grupo EAE se le inyectó MOG35-55. Los animales del modelo EAE, fueron monitorizados mediante escalas de discapacidad motora. Las retinas y los nervios ópticos se procesaron para examen morfológico a microscopia óptica y estudio ultraestructural. Resultados: Los modelos animales presentaron clínica motora de lesión medular, apareciendo los primeros síntomas entre el 7.°-19.° día postinyección. Con un promedio de discapacidad máxima de 3,5puntos. En retina, el promedio de CGR en el grupo EAE fue de 0,0891μm frente a 0,1678μm del grupo control (p = 0,0003). El NO se vio intensamente afectado con una gliosis reactiva, aumento del daño axonal y disminución de la densidad axonal (grupo control 0,38038 axones/μm2 frente al grupo EAE 0,16 axones/μm2; p = 0,00032). Conclusiones: En este trabajo hemos caracterizado y detallado un modelo animal de EAE para el estudio de alteraciones desmielinizantes en retina y NO. Sus características lo convierten en un magnífico instrumento para el estudio de las enfermedades oftalmológicas neurodegenerativas

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune, chronic and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system with axonal demyelination, gliosis and neurodegeneration. It is considered a frequent cause of neurological disability in young adults. In this work, an Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) model was optimised by injecting a myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35-55). The ophthalmological effects were studied, as well as its use as an experimental model in other studies of retinal ganglion cell degeneration (RGC) and optic nerve (ON). Material and methods: The study included 16 mice of 10 weeks that were placed into 2 study groups: a control group of 10 animals and another group of 6 animals with EAE that were injected with MOG35-55. The animals of the EAE model were monitored using motor disability scales. The retinas and optic nerves were processed for morphological examination by optical microscopy and ultrastructure studies. Results: The animal models presented with motor symptoms of spinal cord injury, with the first symptoms appearing between the 7 th and 19 th day post-injection, with a maximum disability mean of 3.5 points. In the retina, the mean RGC in the EAE group was 0.0891 μm, compared with 0.1678 μm of the control group (p = .0003). The ON was strongly affected with reactive gliosis, increased axonal damage and decreased density axonal (control group 0.38038 axons/μm2 versus EAE group 0.16 axons/μm2, p = .00032). Conclusions: In this work an animal model of EAE has been characterised and detailed for the study of demyelinating alterations in the retina and the ON. Its characteristics make it an excellent tool for the study of neurodegenerative ophthalmic diseases

Development and optimisation of an animal model for the study of ganglion cells in degenerative diseases of the retina and optic nerve. / Desarrollo y optimización de un modelo animal para el estudio de las células ganglionares en enfermedad degenerativa de la retina y nervio óptico.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune, chronic and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system with axonal demyelination, gliosis and neurodegeneration. It is considered a frequent cause of neurological disability in young adults. In this work, an Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) model was optimised by injecting a myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35-55). The ophthalmological effects were studied, as well as its use as an experimental model in other studies of retinal ganglion cell degeneration (RGC) and optic nerve (ON). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 16 mice of 10 weeks that were placed into 2 study groups: a control group of 10 animals and another group of 6 animals with EAE that were injected with MOG35-55. The animals of the EAE model were monitored using motor disability scales. The retinas and optic nerves were processed for morphological examination by optical microscopy and ultrastructure studies. RESULTS: The animal models presented with motor symptoms of spinal cord injury, with the first symptoms appearing between the 7th and 19th day post-injection, with a maximum disability mean of 3.5 points. In the retina, the mean RGC in the EAE group was 0.0891µm, compared with 0.1678µm of the control group (p=.0003). The ON was strongly affected with reactive gliosis, increased axonal damage and decreased density axonal (control group 0.38038 axons/µm2 versus EAE group 0.16 axons/µm2, p=.00032). CONCLUSIONS: In this work an animal model of EAE has been characterised and detailed for the study of demyelinating alterations in the retina and the ON. Its characteristics make it an excellent tool for the study of neurodegenerative ophthalmic diseases.

Treatment with alemtuzumab or rituximab after fingolimod withdrawal in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is effective and safe.

BACKGROUND: It has been described that treating relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients with alemtuzumab following fingolimod could be less effective due to the different dynamics of lymphocyte repopulation. Effectiveness and safety of alemtuzumab compared to rituximab after fingolimod withdrawal were analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A follow-up of a cohort of RRMS patients treated with alemtuzumab or rituximab after fingolimod withdrawal was accomplished. Effectiveness, measured by the percentage of patients with no evidence of disease activity (NEDA), and the presence of side effects (SE) were registered. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients, 28 with alemtuzumab and 27 with rituximab, were analyzed. No differences in the washout period or in the baseline lymphocytes counts were observed. After a mean follow-up period of 28.8 months, the annualized relapsing rate was significantly reduced in the alemtuzumab group from 1.29 to 0.004 (p < 0.001) and in the rituximab group from 1.24 to 0.02 (p < 0.001), without differences. A significant reduction of the median EDSS from 2.8 to 2.0 in the alemtuzumab group and from 3.5 to 2.5 (p < 0.01) in the rituximab group was observed, without differences. Eighty-two per cent (n = 28) of patients in alemtuzumab group and 69.2% (n = 26) in rituximab group achieved NEDA criteria, without differences (p = 0.3). Symptoms related to the infusion were the most frequent SE in both groups. No serious SE were registered. CONCLUSION: Treating RRMS patients with alemtuzumab or rituximab after fingolimod withdrawal is effective and safe, without significant differences between both groups in our series.

Efficacy and safety of rituximab in relapsing and progressive multiple sclerosis: a hospital-based study.

INTRODUCTION: Rituximab is considered as a potential therapeutic option in relapsing-remitting (RRMS) and progressive forms (PMS) of multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of rituximab in MS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational study of effectiveness (clinical and radiological) and safety of rituximab in RRMS and PMS. RESULTS: A total of 90 rituximab-treated patients were collected: 31 RRMS and 59 PMS All patients had an active disease despite standard treatment. The annualized relapse rate (ARR) the year before rituximab was 0.86, 53.3% of patients had gadolinium enhanced lesion, and mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) had increased from 4.2 to 4.9. During treatment, the ARR was reduced an 88.4% (p < 0.001). A significant decrease of EDSS to 4.6 was observed (p = 0.01) after 1 year of treatment, which remained stable during the second year in both groups. There was no evidence of disease activity in 70% of total sample, 74.2% of RRMS, and 67% of the PMS patients. Infusion-related symptoms were the most prevalent side effect (18.8%) and most were mild. Three thrombotic events were detected. CONCLUSION: Rituximab could be an effective and safe treatment in aggressive RRMS. Some selected PMS patients could also benefit from this treatment.

Assessment of the in vivo formation of biofilm on external ventricular drainages.

Biofilm formation on external ventricular drainages (EVDs) has been postulated as the main pathogenic mechanism for EVD-associated ventriculitis. However, biofilm on EVDs has never been systematically studied and the in vivo effect of antibiotic-impregnated EVDs on biofilm has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of biofilm formation on EVDs and to analyze the influence of antibiotic-impregnated EVD on the risk of biofilm formation and ventriculitis. Consecutive patients with EVDs were included in the study. Surveillance cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures were performed twice a week. Withdrawn EVDs were cultured using standard bacteriologic techniques and examined under a scanning electron microscope. We collected 32 EVDs, 18 of which (56 %) were antibiotic-impregnated EVDs. Biofilm was present on 24 EVDs (75 %), ventriculitis was diagnosed in 6 patients (19 %), and colonization occurred in 12 patients (38 %). All cases of ventriculitis were due to Gram-negative bacteria. Biofilm was more frequent on EVDs originating from patients with ventriculitis or bacterial colonization. Impregnated EVDs did not avoid ventriculitis or colonization, but biofilm development on these devices depended on the time from insertion and varied from 67 % for those used for <7 days to 88 % for those used for ≥ 7 days (p = 0.094). In conclusion, biofilm is a common phenomenon on EVDs. Currently available impregnated EVDs could not avoid ventriculitis due to multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, but a trend of delayment of biofilm development was observed.

Postnatal exposure to N-ethyl-N-nitrosurea disrupts the subventricular zone in adult rodents.

N-ethyl-N-nitrosurea (ENU), a type of N-nitrous compound (NOC), has been used as inductor for brain tumours due to its mutagenic effect on the rodent embryo. ENU also affected adult neurogenesis when administered during pregnancy. However, no studies have investigated the effect of ENU when exposured during adulthood. For this purpose, three experimental groups of adult mice were injected with ENU at different doses and killed shortly after exposure. When administered in adult mice, ENU did not form brain tumours but led to a disruption of the subventricular zone (SVZ), an adult neurogenic region. Analyses of the samples revealed a reduction in the numbers of neural progenitors compared with control animals, and morphological changes in ependymal cells. A significant decrease in proliferation was tested in vivo with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine administration and confirmed in vitro with a neurosphere assay. Cell death, assessed as active-caspase-3 reactivity, was more prominent in treated animals and cell death-related populations increased in parallel. Two additional groups were maintained for 45 and 120 days after five doses of ENU to study the potential regeneration of the SVZ, but only partial recovery was detected. In conclusion, exposure to ENU alters the organization of the SVZ and causes partial exhaustion of the neurogenic niche. The functional repercussion of these changes remains unknown, but exposure to NOCs implies a potential risk that needs further evaluation.