J Neurol. 2003 Oct;250(10):1229-36
Mirowska D, Skierski J, Paz A, Koronkiewicz M, Zaborski J, Kruszewska
J, Czlonkowski A, Czlonkowska A.
2nd Dept. of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry & Neurology, Sobieskiego
1/9, Warsaw, Poland.
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of the study was to find out whether INF-beta-1a influences the immune profile of peripheral blood (PB) leukocytes in MS patients.
METHOD:
We have studied 20 patients with relapsing-remitting form of MS treated with INF-beta-1a using twocolor cytometry.
We determined immune cells phenotypes and production of some cytokines: IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-gamma, before drug administration and after starting the treatment.
RESULTS:
In MS patients an increased percentage of CD14(+)CD86(+) cells and CD3(+)CD25(+) cells was noticed after 6, 9 and 12 months of INF-beta-1a therapy.
Among cytokine-producing cells we noted an increased fraction of CD3(+)IL-4, CD14(+)IL-10 and CD14(+)IL-12 cells after 12 months, which decreased to the level observed before treatment after 24-month therapy.
CONCLUSIONS:
IFN-beta-1a treatment was associated with significant changes in immune response.
This effect was mostly evident within the first year of treatment.