Evaluation of BAFF, APRIL and CD40L in Ocrelizumab-Treated pwMS and Infectious Risk

Maria Antonella Zingaropoli; Patrizia Pasculli; Matteo Tartaglia; Federica Dominelli; Federica Ciccone; Ambra Taglietti; Valentina Perri; Leonardo Malimpensa; Gina Ferrazzano; Marco Iannetta; Cosmo Del Borgo; Miriam Lichtner; Claudio Maria Mastroianni; Antonella Conte; Maria Rosa Ciardi

doi:10.3390/biology12040587

Biology (Apr 2023)

Evaluation of BAFF, APRIL and CD40L in Ocrelizumab-Treated pwMS and Infectious Risk

Maria Antonella Zingaropoli,
Patrizia Pasculli,
Matteo Tartaglia,
Federica Dominelli,
Federica Ciccone,
Ambra Taglietti,
Valentina Perri,
Leonardo Malimpensa,
Gina Ferrazzano,
Marco Iannetta,
Cosmo Del Borgo,
Miriam Lichtner,
Claudio Maria Mastroianni,
Antonella Conte,
Maria Rosa Ciardi

Affiliations

Maria Antonella Zingaropoli: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Patrizia Pasculli: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Matteo Tartaglia: Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Federica Dominelli: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Federica Ciccone: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Ambra Taglietti: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Valentina Perri: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Leonardo Malimpensa: Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Gina Ferrazzano: Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Marco Iannetta: Infectious Disease Unit, Department of System Medicine, Tor Vergata University and Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy
Cosmo Del Borgo: Infectious Diseases Unit, Santa Maria Goretti Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 04110 Latina, Italy
Miriam Lichtner: Infectious Diseases Unit, Santa Maria Goretti Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 04110 Latina, Italy
Claudio Maria Mastroianni: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Antonella Conte: Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Maria Rosa Ciardi: Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12040587
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12, no. 4
p. 587

Abstract

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Background: The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody ocrelizumab has been widely employed in the treatment of people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, its B-cell-depleting effect may induce a higher risk of infectious events and alterations in the secretion of B-cell-activating factors, such as BAFF, APRIL and CD40L. Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate plasma BAFF, APRIL and CD40L levels and their relationship with infectious risk in ocrelizumab-treated pwMS at baseline (T0), at 6 months (T6) and at 12 months (T12) after starting the treatment. As a control group, healthy donors (HD) were enrolled too. Results: A total of 38 pwMS and 26 HD were enrolled. At baseline, pwMS showed higher plasma BAFF (p p = 0.0223) and CD40L (p p p p = 0.0003 and p p p = 0.0056 and T12: p = 0.0400). Conclusions: BAFF may have a role as a marker of immune dysfunction and of infectious risk.

Published in Biology

ISSN: 2079-7737 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General)
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/biology

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