Question: Is there a relationship between B cells and Multiple Sclerosis?

Context:
These results suggest that RRMS patients with radiological phenotypes showing high neurodegeneration have changes in B cells characterized by down-regulation of B-cell-specific genes and increased activation status
Although the exact etiology is still obscure, the leading hypothesis behind MS relapses is acute inflammatory attacks on CNS myelin and axons. This complex process involves B and T cells together with macrophages and microglia.
It is currently known that CD24 serves as a costimulatory factor of T cells that regulate their homeostasis and proliferation, while in B cells, CD24 is functionally involved in cell activation and differentiation. CD24 can enhance autoimmune diseases in terms of its protective role in the clonal deletion of autoreactive thymocytes
Multiple B cell-dependent mechanisms contributing to inflammatory demyelination of the CNS have been explored using experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a CD4 T cell-dependent animal model for multiple sclerosis. 
The role of B cells in multiple sclerosis: rationale for B-cell-targeted therapies.
Interest in CD8+ T cells and B cells was initially inspired by observations in multiple sclerosis rather than in animal models: CD8+ T cells predominate in multiple sclerosis lesions, oligoclonal immunoglobulin bands in CSF have long been recognised as diagnostic and prognostic markers, and anti-B-cell therapies showed considerable efficacy in multiple sclerosis.
Differential effects of fingolimod on B-cell populations in multiple sclerosis.
Unaltered regulatory B-cell frequency and function in patients with multiple sclerosis.
B cells are increasingly recognized as major players in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis.
These observations underscore the B cell's contribution to the putative underpinnings of multiple sclerosis.
Data suggesting that B cells play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis have been accumulating for the past five decades, demonstrating that the cerebrospinal fluid and central nervous system tissues of multiple sclerosis patients contain B cells, plasma cells, antibodies, and immunoglobulins.
B-cell-targeted treatment for multiple sclerosis: mechanism of action and clinical data.
Subset composition and cytokine production of B cells derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from multiple sclerosis patients under Fingolimod treatment, untreated multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls were analyzed by flow cytometry and ELISA.
In particular, antigen presentation between B cells and T cells, increased trafficking of B cells across the blood-brain barrier, and autoantibodies produced by plasma cells may contribute to the pathophysiology of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
Accumulating evidence supports a major role of B cells in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.
Further research is needed to elucidate the pathology of B cells and their role in central nervous system autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis.
Targeting B cells in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: recent advances and remaining challenges
phingosine-1-phosphate receptors control B-cell migration through signaling components associated with primary immunodeficiencies, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and multiple sclerosis

Answer: MS patients with high neurodegeneration have changes in B cells characterized by down-regulation of B-cell-specific genes and increased activation status
Exact answer: yes