Cell-type- and state-resolved transcriptomics uncovers distinct T cell and monocyte dysregulation in multiple sclerosis.

Cell reports
Authors
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Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex immune-mediated disorder with polygenic and multicellular underpinnings, necessitating cell-type-specific molecular studies to delineate dysregulated pathways. Here, we profile 1,075 transcriptomes from 167 patients with MS and 42 healthy participants across six peripheral immune cell-type-states. MS-associated transcriptional differences are more pronounced in primary (unstimulated) immune cells than in in vitro-stimulated counterparts. We identify shared and cell-type-specific transcriptional alterations at the level of genes, pathways, and co-expressed gene modules, prioritizing regulators, such as ZBTB16, across T cells and monocytes, and replicating six MS-associated modules in independent datasets. The top T cell module is enriched for MS susceptibility genes and affects proliferation. The top monocyte module implicates dysregulated TNF-α/NF-κB signaling, for which an in silico drug screen and in vitro validation nominate alvespimycin as a candidate modulator. Together, these findings define stable peripheral immune dysregulation signatures in MS that may serve as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers in at-risk individuals.

Year of Publication
2026
Journal
Cell reports
Volume
45
Issue
6
Pages
117417
Date Published
06/2026
ISSN
2211-1247
DOI
10.1016/j.celrep.2026.117417
PubMed ID
42247289
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