b'Medicine & Researchcross-sectional image of the retinal nerve bertherapies had higher rates of COVID-related layer. Research has shown the RNFL correlateshospitalizations and death.withbrain volume. ThisstudynowshowsThis study looks at the effects of anti-CD 20 OCT may be a useful biomarker for measuringtherapy and beta interferons on mice infected PIRA.with inuenza A. The mice on the anti-CD 20 Beta interferons may ndtherapyhadmoresevereinfectionswith new life as antiviral agentshigher viral loads. When beta interferon was An Oklahoma study examined how twoadded to the anti-CD 20 therapy, the mice treatments for MSB-cell depletion therapyseemed to get protection from viral infection. and interferon-betaaffect respiratory viralThis animal study could have real-world infections. Using a mouse model of inuenzahuman implications. Beta interferons (Avonex, A infection, researchers found that B-cellBetaseron, Rebif, Extavia, Plegridy) represent depletion alone worsened illness, increasingan older class of therapies for MS that have viral load, weight loss, lung inammation,largely been replaced by more effective therapies and inammatory proteins in the blood. IFN-such as natalizumab and anti-CD 20 monoclonal alone offered little benet. However, whenantibodies. For individuals on B-cell therapies combined with B-cell depletion, IFN- reversedwith severe viral infections, could beta interferons many harmful effectslowering viral levels,nd a new purpose as antiviral agents?reducing inammatory cell inltration intoNatalizumab may be safe during the lungs, and improving recovery. These effectspregnancy, breastfeedingwere not due to changes in T-cell numbers, butThis study, conducted in Italy, examined the rather reduced excessive inflammation,long-term safety of natalizumab use during especiallyfromneutrophils.Thendingspregnancy and breastfeeding in women with suggest IFN- could help protect MS patientsMS.Fourteen womenandtheir15children on B-cell-depleting therapies during respiratorywere followed for up to 10 years. Ten mothers virus outbreaks by counteracting treatment- received natalizumab during both pregnancy related immune vulnerabilities. The ndingsand breastfeeding, while four received it only were published in the Journal of Immunology.during pregnancy. No MS relapses occurred Thrower- Normally, I dont feature studiesduring pregnancy, and only minimal postpartum based on animal models, but I found thisdisease activity was observed. All children were one fascinating. Anti-CD 20 B-cell therapiesborn full term with normal birth weights and head (rituximab, Ocrevus, Briumvi and Kesimpta)sizes. No infections, developmental delays, or represent one of our most effective classes ofhealth complications were reported, regardless disease-modifying therapies in MS. As withof breastfeeding status. Long-term monitoring any therapy, the benets must be weighedshowednoadverseeffectsongrowthor against potential risks. B-cell therapies aredevelopment.Thefindingssuggestthat linked to a higher risk of infections, includingcontinuing natalizumab during pregnancy viral respiratory infections. During the COVIDandbreastfeedingmaybesafeforboth pandemic,individualswithMSonB-cellmotherandchild, whilehelpingmaintain msfocusmagazine.org 32'