AAN 2026 | Macrophage signatures and immune shifts in progressive multiple sclerosis
Raphael Bernard-Valnet, MD, PhD, University of Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland, discusses findings on disease-associated macrophage signatures in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Using flow cytometry and single-cell transcriptomics, this study identified border-associated macrophages linked to progressive MS and other neurodegenerative diseases. This interview took place at the 78th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.
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Transcript
Basically, we had a look at the immune population that is associated with progressive multiple sclerosis. So to do that, we leverage both flow cytometry and single-cell transcriptomics, and we have been able to show that a small population of monocytes, that is called border-associated macrophages, are associated specifically with progressive MS. And it was also a population that was shared with other degenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease, for instance...
Basically, we had a look at the immune population that is associated with progressive multiple sclerosis. So to do that, we leverage both flow cytometry and single-cell transcriptomics, and we have been able to show that a small population of monocytes, that is called border-associated macrophages, are associated specifically with progressive MS. And it was also a population that was shared with other degenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease, for instance. So basically, we have been able to show that in MS, it seems that there is a continuum starting from relapsing-remitting towards secondary progressive, and that progressively the cerebrospinal fluid of patients, the immune population shifts from a CSF which is rich in B cells that we know are able to activate T cells towards a CSF that is rich in monocytes and in this population of border-associated macrophages. So it’s really likely a shift from an inflammatory component that is driving the relapses and the relapse activity towards likely something that is more similar to degenerative disease, what we know is driving progression in illness.
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