Abstract-Text (inkl. Referenzen)

Background

Polyneuropathies (PNP) are common and disabling neurological diseases. They have many potential causes and it is difficult to distinguish between treatable and untreatable forms. We previously analyzed the cellular composition of peripheral nerves in mice (1). Using single cell transcriptomics, we detected various cell types in an unbiased way and identified novel cell type markers.

Methods

We here aim to translate single cell transcriptomics to human PNS and combine this with single cell analysis of paired cerebrospinal fluid and blood of immune-mediated polyneuropathies.

Results

After extensive optimization, we succeeded in generating unbiased single nuclei data from fresh-frozen sural nerve biopsies of patients with PNPs. We confirm the composition of PNS cells previously described in rodents. We also find preliminary evidence suggesting an intra-neural expansion of NK cells in chronic inflammatory neuropathy. This is reflected as an increase of cytotoxic CD56dim NK cells in the cerebrospinal fluid of chronic inflammatory neuropathy.

Conclusion

Expansion of NK cells in the sural nerve and in the CSF has the potential to improve the understanding and diagnosis of immune-mediated polyneuropathies.

1. Wolbert J, Li X, Heming M, Mausberg AK, Akkermann D, Frydrychowicz C, et al. Redefining the heterogeneity of peripheral nerve cells in health and autoimmunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2020 Apr 28;117(17):9466–76.