Interferon-β treatment reverses the detrimental effect of B cell depletion therapy on respiratory virus infection.

Abstract There are several disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) used as treatments for multiple sclerosis. Depending on their mechanism, DMTs can increase morbidities of viral infections in patients, including SARS-CoV2 and influenza A virus (IAV). B cell depletion (BCD) with anti-CD20 antibodies interferon-β (IFN-β) two popular MS. BCD increases the morbidity acute whereas antiviral properties IFN-β postulated to protect against infection. This study determined how alone or combination modulate IAV infection mice. For BCD, we treated mice 3 doses every 5 days beginning 7 prior IFN-β, were day 1 2 post Mice only lost more weight compared control increased was linked higher levels RNA neutrophils inflammatory monocytes lungs at 9 post-infection. T response not altered by BCD. had no alteration loss myeloid infiltration controls. When adding therapy, significantly less lower numbers lung only. Addition did improve clearance. Our findings show that virus-induced mice, which reflects data from MS patients. Here provide preclinical showing addition reverse detrimental effect Therefore, non-interacting biologic may mitigate during