http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/57/8/1371
Neurology 2001;57:1371-1376
Torben L. Sørensen, MD and
Finn Sellebjerg, MD PhD
From The MS Clinic, Department of
Neurology, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup Hospital, Denmark.
Background:
Chemokines, small chemotactic cytokines,
have been implicated in active relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). However,
the role of chemokines and chemokine receptors has not been specifically
studied in secondary progressive MS (SPMS).
Methods:
Fifteen patients with SPMS, 15 patients
with relapses of RRMS, 10 patients with RRMS in remission, and 20 healthy
controls were included in this study. The expression of CC chemokine receptor
1(CCR1), CCR2, CCR3, CCR5, and CXC chemokine receptor 3(CXCR3) was studied
on leukocyte subsets using flow cytometry, and the cytokine profile of
T cells expressing CCR2 and CCR5 was determined. The authors also studied
the effect of treatment with interferon-ß-1b on the expression of
chemokine receptors in SPMS.
Results:
The authors found a significantly
higher percentage of CCR2-expressing T cells in SPMS than in the other
patients groups. CCR2-positive T cells produced high levels of interleukin
(IL)-5 and low levels of tumor necrosis factor , indicating a T-helper
type 2 (Th2)/T-cytotoxic type 2 (Tc2) profile of these cells. The expression
of CCR5, a chemokine receptor associated with Th1 responses, was significantly
lower in SPMS than in patients with active RRMS. Interferon (IFN) ß-1b
treatment in SPMS did not alter chemokine receptor expression in SPMS.
Conclusion:
The authors find qualitative differences
in the systemic inflammatory response in RRMS and SPMS, indicating a distinct
inflammatory environment in SPMS. Chemokine receptor expression in SPMS
did not change after treatment with IFNß-1b. It remains to be established
if these findings reflect differences between RRMS and SPMS in effector
or regulatory mechanisms.
Address correspondence and reprint
requests to Dr. Torben L. Sørensen, The MS Clinic, Department of
Neurology, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup Hospital, DK-2600 Glostrup,
Denmark; e-mail: torbenls@dadlnet.dk
© 2001 American Academy of Neurology