Identification of TCR clonotypes associated with Multiple Sclerosis in the Sardinian population

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, driven by T cell-mediated immune responses. Studying T cell receptor (TCR) clonotypes specific to MS in distinct populations can provide insights into disease mechanisms. The Sardinian population, with its unique genetic background resulting from geographical isolation, presents a high-risk cohort for MS research, offering a valuable context for understanding the disease's pathogenesis. Methods: We analyzed the frequency of unique TCR clonotypes in peripheral blood samples from Sardinian MS patients and healthy controls, focusing on TCRa and TCRß CDR3 sequences. Clonotypes were functionally annotated for antigen-specific interactions, and hierarchical analysis was performed to identify shared TCR clonotypes between MS patients and healthy controls. Results: A total of 119 TCRß and 521 TCRa CDR3 clonotypes were significantly more frequent in MS patients compared to healthy controls (P<0.05). Several TCR-a clonotypes, such as CAVLDSNYQLIW (a MAIT cell clonotype targeting the BST2 antigen) and CAVNTGNQFYF (cross-reactive to multiple antigens, including CMV p65 and BST2), were identified as specific to MS. Shared clonotype analysis revealed the involvement of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells and invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in MS pathogenesis. Notably, HCV-specific TCR-a clonotypes (NS3-HCV) were significantly increased in MS patients, suggesting a link between infectious disease-related and autoimmune-related clonotypes. No significant differences were observed for other antigens, such as VP22, p65, and BST2. Conclusion: This study identifies distinct TCR clonotypes associated with MS in the Sardinian population, highlighting the role of MAIT and iNKT cells in the disease's pathogenesis. The findings suggest that HCV-specific TCR repertoires may contribute to the development of MS. These results improve our understanding of T cell-mediated immune mechanisms in MS and offer potential targets for therapeutic intervention, particularly within the Sardinian cohort.