The Role of Natural Killer Cells in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory disease of the central nervous system and forms the most common non-traumatic cause of disability in young adults. Research on the pathogenesis of the disease is still dearly needed to improve diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic possibilities. Previous research has mainly focussed on the role of adaptive immune cells, such as T and B lymphocytes, in MS pathogenesis. However, recent findings are increasingly pointing towards a possible contribution of immune cells of the innate immune system, more specifically the microglia and natural killer (NK) cells. Based on the expertise and genetic studies from the Laboratory for Neuroimmunology itself and the International MS Genetics Consortium (IMSGC), we aim on identifying interesting innate immune cell-specific variants as well as specific innate immune cell susbets and resolve their role in MS pathogenesis using functional immunological assays. For the latter we will be able to rely on the expertise of the collaborating Laboratory for Immunobiology of the Rega Institute. The research performed during this PhD strives to contribute to the elucidation of disease mechanisms in MS in order to ultimately improve the care for MS patients.