ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Infection with the
SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus can
lead to a wide range of acute and also
chronic disease manifestations. The rapidly developed
vaccinations are highly effective in preventing severe
disease courses and have been proven safe. Both natural
infection and, to a much lower extent, the mRNAbased
vaccinations can be accompanied by
transient autoimmune phenomena or onset of
autoimmune diseases. Objective(s) We
report here two cases of
multiple sclerosis (MS) with clinical and new radiological signs beginning in close temporal relation to spike (S)
protein mRNA-based
vaccinations. Aim(s) To establish that the onset of MS in these two cases is very likely caused by CD4+
T cell clones that cross-recognize SARSCoV- 2 S
protein-derived
peptides and
peptides derived from
myelin proteins, which have previously been implicated in MS.
Method(s) Spike specific CD4+
T cells from peripheral
blood and CD4+
T cells from CSF sample were isolated and expanded for
autoantigen screening test. A list of well-known MS-related
autoantigens including immunodominant
peptides and
isoforms from MBP, MOG, PLP, RASGRP2, TSTA3
peptides were included to assess
T cell reactivity. CD4+ CFSElow fraction were sorted after stimulate with positive
autoantigen pools or SARSCov- 2 Spike
protein, followed by expansion and testing with
autoantigen peptides and Spike
protein. Supernatant from
cell culture were further analyzed for IFN-gamma
secretion. Result(s)
Self-reactive
T cells were detected from Spike specific
T cell population in both
patients. CD4+ T from CSF also showed reactivity to MBP, MOG, PLP
peptide pools. Finally, we found proinflammatory
T cell clones that recognize both Spike
protein and immunodominant MBP
peptides and MOG
peptides, which have previously been implicated in MS. Conclusion(s) Detailed studies of both peripheral
blood- and CSFderived CD4+
T cells show that the onset of MS in these two cases is very likely caused by CD4+
T cell clones that cross-recognize
SARS-CoV-2 S
protein-derived
peptides and
peptides derived from
myelin proteins, which have previously been implicated in MS.