Laquinimod modulates B cells and their regulatory effects on T cells in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Laquinimod is an orally administered drug under development for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), lacking a fully elucidated mode of action. We assessed the immunomodulatory effects of laquinimod in vitro on human B cells from healthy or MS patients, cultured alone or with CD4(+) T cells. Laquinimod modulated B cell markers, mainly by increasing the regulatory ones CD25, IL10 and CD86, and decreased IL4, while increasing IL10 and TGFβ in both B and T cells, in a B cell-mediated manner. These findings shed additional light on the mechanisms underlying the effects of laquinimod in MS and potentially other immune-mediated diseases.