The expression of integrins on activated T-cells in multiple sclerosis. Effect of intravenous methylprednisolone treatment.
We studied the effect of intravenous methylprednisolone (MP) on the expression of the integrins, LFA-1 and VLA-4, on activated blood T-lymphocytes in 17 patients with relapses of clinically definite relapsing-remitting MS. MP treatment did not induce changes in the expression of CD3, CD4, DR, LFA-1 or VLA-4 markers when measured in the total population of lymphocytes in MS patients in relation to treatment. Treatment influenced neither the LFA-1 nor VLA-4 positive cells within the CD3+ population. MP treatment clearly decreased the DR+ CD3+ cells (P < 0.01) and the percentage of DR+ CD3+ lymphocytes bearing VLA-4 (P < 0.01). However, this was not the case when we studied the percentage of lymphocytes which expressed LFA-1. Glucocorticoids did not influence the mean intensity of the expression of the two integrins quantified in either total or DR+ CD3+ lymphocytes. Although, further research seems warranted to investigate a possible effect of MP on lymphocyte integrin function, this work corroborates the idea that MP treatment may interfere with the mechanisms of T-cell migration into CNS, thus modulating the activity of multiple sclerosis.
Department of Immunology, Ramón y Cajal Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
S
S
Luján
J
J
Masjuan
E
E
Roldán
L M
LM
Villar
P
P
González-Porqué
J C
JC
Alvarez-Cermeño
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1; D016023:Integrins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012008:Recurrence; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D039041:Integrin alpha4beta1; D016023:Integrins; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing; D008775:Methylprednisolone