The possible involvement of sema3A and sema4A in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

Clin Immunol. 2022 May:238:109017. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2022.109017. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

Abstract

Background: Immune semaphorins are widely accepted to have functional impact on autoimmune diseases.

Objectives: To assess the status of sema3A and sema4A in the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Results: Sema3A expression on (T regulatory cells)Tregs was decreased in MS patients, compared to healthy controls (35.85 ± 16.7% vs 88.27 ± 3.8%; p ≤ 0.001). Serum levels of sema3A were decreased in MS patients 2.95 ± 0.43 vs 18.67 ± 5.7 ng/ml in healthy individuals; p ≤ 0.001. Sema4A serum levels were increased in MS patients compared to healthy individuals (12.99 ± 8.6 vs 5.83 ± 3.91 ng/ml; p ≤ 0.001). Sema3A and sema4A serum levels were found to be in negative/positive correlation with MS disease severity (rs = 0.62, rs = -0.49, respectively).

Conclusion: We show that sema3A is a regulatory molecule in MS, whereas sema4A is a stimulatory one. Targeting sema3A and sema4A could become a potential therapeutic approach in MS.

Keywords: Autoimmunity; Multiple sclerosis; Semaphorins; T cells.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis*
  • Semaphorin-3A
  • Semaphorins*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism

Substances

  • SEMA3A protein, human
  • SEMA4A protein, human
  • Semaphorin-3A
  • Semaphorins