Engineered immunological niches to monitor disease activity and treatment efficacy in relapsing multiple sclerosis

Aaron H. Morris, Kevin R. Hughes, Robert S. Oakes, Michelle M. Cai, Stephen D. Miller, David N. Irani and Lonnie D. Shea ()
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Aaron H. Morris: University of Michigan
Kevin R. Hughes: University of Michigan
Robert S. Oakes: University of Michigan
Michelle M. Cai: University of Michigan
Stephen D. Miller: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
David N. Irani: University of Michigan Medical School
Lonnie D. Shea: University of Michigan

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Relapses in multiple sclerosis can result in irreversible nervous system tissue injury. If these events could be detected early, targeted immunotherapy could potentially slow disease progression. We describe the use of engineered biomaterial-based immunological niches amenable to biopsy to provide insights into the phenotype of innate immune cells that control disease activity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Differential gene expression in cells from these niches allow monitoring of disease dynamics and gauging the effectiveness of treatment. A proactive treatment regimen, given in response to signal within the niche but before symptoms appeared, substantially reduced disease. This technology offers a new approach to monitor organ-specific autoimmunity, and represents a platform to analyze immune dysfunction within otherwise inaccessible target tissues.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17629-z

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