Interferon-beta treatment in multiple sclerosis patients decreases the number of circulating T cells producing interferon-gamma and interleukin-4.

Abstract

Systemic administration of interferon (IFN)-beta has been recently approved for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The immunological mechanism by which IFN-beta ameliorates MS is still partially unknown. We measured the number of blood circulating CD4(+), CD4(-), CD8(+), and CD8(-) T cells secreting IFN-gamma and IL-4 in 26 RRMS patients followed for up to 9 months of an alternate day s.c. treatment with 8x16 IU of IFN-beta1b. Compared to pre-treatment values, a significant (P<0.05) reduction of CD4(+), CD4(-), CD8(+) and CD8(-) cells producing IFN-gamma and of CD4(+) and CD4(-) cells producing IL-4 was observed in MS patients. The IFN-beta-associated effect was evident soon after the beginning of the treatment and persisted for the entire follow-up period. We did not observe any effect of IFN-beta treatment on the percentage of IL-4-producing CD8(+) and CD8(-) cells nor in that of natural killer (NK) cells producing IFN-gamma. Our results show that IFN-beta treatment in MS patients induces a profound and persistent down-regulation of the number of circulating T cells secreting IFN-gamma and IL-4 thus suggesting a broader rather than a specific immunomodulatory effect of IFN-beta in MS.

• Authors: R Furlan, A Bergami, R Lang, E Brambilla, D Franciotta, V Martinelli, G Comi, P Panina, G Martino
• Journal: Journal of neuroimmunology (J Neuroimmunol) Vol. 111 Issue 1-2 Pg. 86-92 (Nov 01 2000) ISSN: 0165-5728 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 11063825 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Adjuvants, Immunologic
• Receptors, IgG
• Interleukin-4
• Interferon-beta
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Adjuvants, Immunologic (administration & dosage)
• Adult
• CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes (drug effects, immunology, metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Interferon-beta (administration & dosage)
• Interferon-gamma (biosynthesis, immunology)
• Interleukin-4 (biosynthesis, immunology)
• Killer Cells, Natural (drug effects, immunology, metabolism)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting (drug therapy, immunology)
• Receptors, IgG (analysis)
• T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer (drug effects, immunology, metabolism)