Post-transcriptional control of cytokine expression in B cells by RNA-binding proteins, and its role in multiple sclerosis. – RBPcytoMS

B-cell depletion is a highly promising therapy to treat patients with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. However, such therapy is not risk free and could induced side-effects such as severe systemic infection. Cytokine production by B cells have a major impact on the development of neuroinflammation, providing B cells with the capacity to operate as suppressor or inducer of autoimmunity. Thus, our main objective is to uncover the molecular mechanisms that control cytokine expression in B cells. Our data suggest that post-transcriptional regulation by RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are key for controlling cytokines expression by B cells. In this project we will use in-vivo and in-vitro approaches to characterise the post-transcriptional mechanisms that modulate cytokine expression in B cells and neuroinflammation. Identification of the RBPs that finely balance cytokine production by B cells is of major importance for developing new therapies in neuroinflammatory diseases.