Interferon beta-1a therapy enhances CD4 + regulatory T-cell function: An ex vivo and in vitro longitudinal study in relapsing−remitting multiple sclerosis

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology Vol. 182; no. 1; pp. 204 - 211
• Main Authors: de Andrés, Clara, Aristimuño, Carol, de las Heras, Virginia, Martínez-Ginés, M Luisa, Bartolomé, Manuel, Arroyo, Rafael, Navarro, Joaquín, Giménez-Roldán, Santiago, Fernández-Cruz, Eduardo, Sánchez-Ramón, Silvia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.01.2007
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Immunologic - therapeutic use; Adult; Allergy and Immunology; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Cohort Studies; Ex vivo; Female; Glucocorticoid-Induced TNFR-Related Protein; Humans; In vitro; In Vitro Techniques; Interferon beta-1a; Interferon-beta - therapeutic use; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit - metabolism; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - blood; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - drug therapy; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - immunology; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - metabolism; Neurology; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor - metabolism; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor - metabolism; Regulatory T-cell; Relapsing−remitting multiple sclerosis; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - pathology; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory - immunology; Treatment Outcome; Relapsing−remitting multiple sclerosis; Regulatory T-cell; Ex vivo; Interferon beta-1a; In vitro
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2006.09.012

Interferon beta-1a (IFNâ-1a) has demonstrated efficacy in multiple sclerosis (MS), although its mechanism of action remains only partly understood. We evaluated the ex vivo and in vitro effects of IFNâ-1a (Rebif®) on regulatory T-cell (T Reg) function in 22 relapsing−remitting MS patients and 16 healthy controls. T Reg function was significantly enhanced after 3 and 6 months of IFNβ-1a therapy. Furthermore, there was a trend towards increasing proportions of total CD4 +CD25 + and CD4 +CD25 +GITR + T Reg after 6 months of IFNβ-1a therapy when compared with baseline. In conclusion, IFNβ-1a therapy enhances T Reg function, and this may be relevant in the inflammatory environment of MS lesions.