Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) leading to neuronal demyelination, lack of remyelination, and axonal loss. If left untreated, patients inevitably suffer from severe cognitive, psychological and physical disabilities. Although not yet approved, B cell depletion achieved with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies is the most effective therapy to-date in MS patients. As this therapeutic depletes immune cells potentially important in pathogen

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... immunity, an immense need remains for highly efficacious therapeutics maintaining a favorable safety profile. Even amongst the emergence of new therapeutic options for patients with MS, the myelin basic protein mimetic, Copaxone (glatiramer acetate, GA), remains the most commonly prescribed drug in the United States. As specific B cell depletion appears to be the most effective therapy for MS patients, the goal of this study was to further elucidate the mechanism of action of GA on B lymphocytes. Our studies show that GA directly interacts with human and murine B cell receptors (BCR) inducing the activation of B lymphocytes and BCR recognition of GA is required for efficacy in an animal model of MS. GA loaded B lymphocytes resulted in IL-2 production from CD4 + T cells suggesting B lymphocytes serve as an antigen presentation source for GA. In fifty-percent of the MS patients tested, GA stimulation reduced baseline levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNFα in purified B lymphocytes, while other cytokines were not consistently altered. Taken together, this data suggests that the mechanism of action of GA on B lymphocytes includes the presentation of GA to T lymphocytes in the context of an anti-inflammatory cytokine milieu. The results from this study provide a strong foundation for future exploration of optimal Copaxone responders or synergistic combination therapies with an improved risk: benefit ratio compared to currently approved therapeutics for MS.