Suppressive Functions of Regulatory T Cells in Migraine

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Blood sampling, questionnaire and phone call: The blood sample will drawn outside of a migraine attack (no migraine within 6 hours prior to the blood test), and the questionnaire will be auto-administered

Study summary

Migraine is a frequent, disabling condition, of great social and economical impact worldwide. This condition is more frequent in women and subjects with autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases. Cytokine and immune cell dysregulations have been evidenced in migraine. Inflammation seems to play an important role in migraine chronification; however, the inflammatory mechanisms involved in migraine pathophysiology remain unclear. Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a central role in maintaining immune homeostasis. They regulate effector T (Teff) cell proliferation and cytokine production, through several suppressive mechanisms, such as the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into adenosine (ADO), mediated by surface enzymes Cluster Differentiation 39 (CD39) and Cluster Differentiation 73 (CD73). ATP is involved in pain processes in migraine, and insufficient hydrolysis could participate in pain chronification. Recent studies suggest altered proportions of Treg cells in migraine, and decreased levels of CD39-positive (CD39+) Treg cells, suggesting Treg suppressive functions may be decreased in the disease. However, there have been no functional studies to date to confirm this hypothesis.

The investigators believe Treg suppressive functions may be decreased in migraine, and that such alterations may be caused by a malfunction in the ADO pathway.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Treg cell suppressive functions — Day 0
  To measure the suppressive effect of Treg cells on Teff cells in chronic migraine patients and healthy controls

Trial sites (1)

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