Increased expression of B cell-associated regulatory cytokines by glatiramer acetate in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Abstract B cells are of increasing importance as a target for multiple sclerosis treatment. Here we show that GA treatment of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) biases cytokine production by B cells towards cytokines associated with regulation in MS including interleukin (IL)-4, -10 and -13 and reduces pro-inflammatory IL-6, IL-12, and TNF alpha levels. GA also down-regulates expression of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) of the TNF family and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), as well as the BAFF receptor in mice with EAE. Thus, GA impacts both B cell survival and B cell cytokine production during CNS inflammatory disease in an EAE model.