Pathogenic Potential of Eomesodermin-Expressing T-Helper Cells in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Eomesodermin-expressing (Eomes) T-helper (Th) cells show cytotoxic characteristics in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. We found that Eomes Th cell frequency was increased in the peripheral blood of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease patients. Furthermore, granzyme B production by Th cells from such patients was high compared with controls. A high frequency of Eomes Th cells was observed in the initial (acutely progressive) stage of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and a positive correlation between Eomes Th cell frequency and cognitive decline was observed in Alzheimer's disease patients. Therefore, Eomes Th cells may be involved in the pathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:1093-1098.