Abstract
The mechanisms by which interferon-beta-1b (IFNbeta-1b) acts in the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are not completely known. A total of 10 MS patients were treated with 8 million units of IFNbeta-1b every other day. Compared to baseline and control group the expression of TGFbeta-1-mRNA by PBMC was persistently increased at week 6, month 3 and month 6 (p < or = 0.04), that of the TGFbeta-1 receptor type II from day 5 up to month 6 (p < 0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha)-receptor (55 kDa) was only temporarily elevated at the beginning of the therapy. Serum levels of sVCAM were increased during the whole time of treatment (p < 0.01). The CD8CD38 lymphocyte subpopulation was continuously elevated from day 5 up to month 6 (p < 0.01). No persistently significant changes were demonstrable concerning the percentage of total CD4, CD8, CD19 or in CD4 subpopulations (CD4CD29, CD4CD45RA). The present data suggest that IFNbeta-1b induces the expression of TGFbeta-1- and TGFbeta-R-II-mRNA by PBMC and increases levels of sVCAM-1 and of circulating activated CD8 cells (CD8CD38) in serum. These might be other mechanisms by which IFNbeta-1b mediates its positive effects in the treatment of MS patients.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Antigens, CD19 / analysis
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Antigens, CD19 / immunology
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B-Lymphocytes / chemistry
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / chemistry
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / chemistry
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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DNA, Complementary
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Female
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Flow Cytometry
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Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
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Humans
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Interferon-beta / immunology*
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Leukocyte Common Antigens / analysis
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Leukocyte Common Antigens / immunology
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Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
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Male
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Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
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Neuroimmunomodulation / immunology*
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics*
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Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology
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Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / genetics*
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Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / immunology
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology
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Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / genetics
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Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / immunology
Substances
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Antigens, CD19
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DNA, Complementary
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RNA, Messenger
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Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
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Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
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Transforming Growth Factor beta
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Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
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Interferon-beta
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Leukocyte Common Antigens