The expansion of circulating IL-6 and IL-17-secreting follicular helper T cells is associated with neurological disabilities in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

Abstract

Due to their function in assisting B cells, T_FH cells may be involved in the production of pathogenic IgG in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). In the present study, the proportion of IL-6⁺ and IL-17⁺ T_FH cell subsets was higher in NMOSD patients than healthy individuals. The frequency of both T_FH cell subsets were directly associated with disease activity. By contrast, NMOSD patients with a higher proportion of IL-10⁺ T_FH cell subsets showed a lower neurological disabilities score. In summary, all findings suggest that expansion of peripheral IL-6⁺ and IL-17⁺ T_FH cells may be involved in the severity of NMOSD.

Keywords: Aquaporin-4; Cytokines; Folicular helper T cell; Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.