Assessing Neuroimmune Interactions in the Progression and Management of Multiple Sclerosis: Jack P. Antel, MD

WATCH TIME: 4 minutes

"I think what we’ve been learning is what occurs when the immune system from outside the brain gets into the brain or the central nervous system. What is that interaction? What's driving the process?"

Neuroimmune interactions can play a pivotal role in the progression and management of multiple sclerosis (MS), as recent studies have highlighted their significant influence on both disease development and potential repair mechanisms. Clinicians have expressed that greater understanding of how the immune system interacts with the central nervous system could provide critical insights into developing novel therapeutic strategies that target not only inflammation but also recovery. Recent reviews have further emphasized the importance of these interactions, particularly in MS pathology, where glial, neural, and immune cells may be central to the disease process and potential therapeutic targets.¹ This evolving knowledge could potentially be essential for shaping more personalized and effective MS care moving forward.

At the 2025 Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) Forum, held February 27 to March 1, in West Palm Beach, Florida, this topic took center stage at the welcoming sessions, specifically the Kenneth P. Johnson Memorial Lecture. Mark Freedman, MD, ACTRIMS President, and Véronique Miron, PhD, ACTRIMS Forum Chair, introduced the session, setting the stage for the keynote address by Jack P. Antel, MD. In his lecture, titled "Neuroimmune Interactions: How Past Lessons Can Inform the Present and Future of MS Care," Antel explored the historical development of neuroimmune interactions, emphasizing how early research has shaped current understanding and the future direction of MS treatment.²

Following the ACTRIMS Forum, Antel, a professor of neurology and neurosurgery at McGill University, sat down for an interview with NeurologyLive^® to further reflect on the evolution of neuroimmune research. In the interview, he discussed how early animal models contributed to distinguishing MS from other inflammatory diseases. He highlighted the complexity of MS, noting that relapses and progression continue despite immune suppression, and underscored the bidirectional nature of brain-immune system interactions, which could be crucial in both disease progression and potential repair.

Click here for coverage of 2025 ACTRIMS Forum.

REFERENCES
1. Charabati M, Wheeler MA, Weiner HL, Quintana FJ. Multiple sclerosis: Neuroimmune crosstalk and therapeutic targeting. Cell. 2023;186(7):1309-1327. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2023.03.008
2. Antel JP. Neuroimmune Interactions: How Past Lessons Can Inform the Present and Future of MS Care. Presented at ACTRIMS Forum 2025; February 27 to March 1; West Palm Beach, Florida. Kenneth P. Johnson Memorial Lecture.