Figure 4.

Increased percentages of neutrophils and classical and nonclassical monocytes in inactive relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMSi) individuals. Lineage⁺ lymphocytes, Lineage⁻ SSC^hi granulocytes, CD15⁺ neutrophils, and monocyte subpopulations were identified in whole-blood samples from healthy controls (n = 15) and MS patients stratified by disease course type [active progressive MS (PMSa): n = 14, inactive progressive MS (PMSi): n = 13, active relapsing-remitting MS (RRMSa): n = 8, and RRMSi: n = 30] as presented in Supplementary Figure S1. Levels of the studied populations are expressed as percentages of CD45⁺ blood leukocytes. Each point denotes a single observation, bars depict group-wise means, and error bars represent SEM. Statistical significance was determined by one (healthy/MS disease status) and two-way (disease progression form, activity and form: activity interaction, MS collective) analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with age and sex as confounders. Results of the two-way ANCOVA are presented under the plots. post hoc testing was performed with Benjamini–Hochberg-corrected two-tailed T tests. Significant results of post hoc test are presented within the plots. (A) Classical monocytes. ANCOVA for the disease status: F_{1, 76} = 5.6, p = 0.020; age: F_{1, 76} = 0.2, ns; sex: F_{1, 76} = 0.54, ns. (B) Intermediate monocytes. ANCOVA for the disease status: F_{1, 76} = 4.3, p = 0.042; age: F_{1, 76} = 0.035, ns; sex: F_{1, 76} = 0.04, ns. (C) Nonclassical monocytes. ANCOVA for the disease status: F_{1, 76} = 9.4, p = 0.0031; age: F_{1, 76} = 0.033, ns; sex: F_{1, 76} = 0.36, ns. (D) CD15⁺ neutrophils. ANCOVA for the disease status: F_{1, 76} = 4.2, p = 0.043; age: F_{1, 76} = 5.8, p = 0.018; sex: F_{1, 76} = 1.1, ns. (E) Lineage⁻ SSC^hi granulocytes. ANCOVA for the disease status: F_{1, 76} = 3, ns; age: F_{1, 76} = 3.5, ns; sex: F_{1, 76} = 0.68, ns. (F) Lineage⁺ lymphocytes. ANCOVA for the disease status: F_{1, 76} = 4.9, p = 0.030; age: F_{1, 76} = 3.4, ns; sex: F_{1, 76} = 0.74, ns.