Single-cell RNA-seq in monozygotic twins discordant for multiple sclerosis

Here we investigated the earliest possible evidence of subclinical neuro-inflammation (SCNI) using a small cohort of monozygotic twins where one sibling had clinically definite MS and the other been clinically "healthy" but has a maximal genetic for developing MS. In contrast to subjects with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), our group of very early SCNI does not even fulfill the (arbitrary) MRI criteria for RIS but have more subtle MRI changes and/or evidence of neuro-inflammation in the CSF, e.g. oligoclonal bands (OCBs). For analyzing CSF samples from Twin pairs and controls in greater detail we applied single-cell whole transcriptome sequencing (scRNAseq). Our findings demonstrate that even the earliest experimentally approachable stage of MS is characterized by synergistic activation of CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells and B cells.

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