Summary
This study identifies broad rim lesions—characterised by an extensive myeloid cell rim with distinct innate immune and inflammatory signatures—as a pathological and imaging biomarker associated with rapid disease progression in multiple sclerosis. Using unbiased histology and spatial transcriptomics on an autopsy cohort of 186 individuals with contrasting disease trajectories, alongside independent positron emission tomography validation in 114 individuals, the authors link this lesion phenotype to accelerated neurodegeneration. The findings offer mechanistic insights into MS progression and suggest broad rim lesions as a potential patient stratification tool for future therapeutic trials targeting central nervous system inflammation.
Regional applicability
This clinical neurology research was conducted primarily using Netherlands-based autopsy tissue and European clinical cohorts. The findings are directly applicable to MS patient management and clinical trial design in the United Kingdom and other high-income healthcare systems, though the study does not address UK-specific soil, farming, or food system contexts and falls outside the primary scope of Vitagri's agricultural and nutritional focus.
Key measures
Histological lesion characteristics, spatial transcriptomics signatures (innate immune activation, inflammatory cytokine production, unfolded protein response, apoptosis), translocator protein 18-kDa positron emission tomography imaging, disease progression trajectories
Outcomes reported
The study identified a distinct MS lesion type characterised by an extensive myeloid cell rim and linked its presence to rapid disease progression using histology and spatial transcriptomics in an autopsy cohort, validated by positron emission tomography imaging in an independent cohort.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.