Treatment of multiple sclerosis with methylprednisolone and mitoxantrone modulates the expression of CXC chemokine receptors in PBMC

J Clin Immunol. 2008 Mar;28(2):122-30. doi: 10.1007/s10875-007-9142-7. Epub 2007 Oct 25.

Abstract

Chemokines and their receptors are involved in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Methylprednisolone (MP) and mitoxantrone (MTX) are commonly used in the treatment of MS. In this study, we analyzed the expression of chemokine receptors CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR4, and CXCR5 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from MS patients before and after treatment with MP or MTX. We observed a significant upregulation of expression of CXCR1 and CXCR2 in untreated MS patients. Treatment of MS with MP stimulated further increase of expression of both receptors. Therapy for MS with MTX resulted in decrease of CXCR2 expression. There was a negative correlation between the expression of CXCR1 and CXCR2 and the cumulative dose of MTX received by patients. These results suggest that CXCR1 and CXCR2 may be involved in MS pathogenesis and that treatment of this disease with MP and MTX may influence expression of those receptors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Gene Expression / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / pharmacology*
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitoxantrone / pharmacology*
  • Mitoxantrone / therapeutic use
  • Multiple Sclerosis / blood
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / genetics
  • Receptors, CXCR / genetics*
  • Receptors, CXCR3 / genetics
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / genetics
  • Receptors, CXCR5 / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8A / genetics
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B / genetics

Substances

  • CXCR4 protein, human
  • CXCR5 protein, human
  • Receptors, CXCR
  • Receptors, CXCR3
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Receptors, CXCR5
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8A
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B
  • Mitoxantrone
  • Methylprednisolone