A new cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrates gamma interferon suppression by beta interferon in multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system of unknown etiology. Immune mechanisms involving the proinflammatory cytokine gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) are believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of MS. IFN-beta-1b has been introduced as a treatment for MS and was found to reduce the number and severity of clinical exacerbations. To examine the influence of IFN-beta-1b on myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific and phytohemagglutinin-induced IFN-gamma production, we developed a cell-released capturing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CRC-ELISA), which rapidly measures spontaneous and antigen- or mitogen-induced cellular IFN-gamma production. CRC-ELISA documented a significant MBP-specific T-cell response in the blood of untreated MS patients, as assessed by IFN-gamma production. This response was suppressed in MS patients treated with IFN-beta-1b. The present work confirms in vivo the in vitro suppressive effects of IFN-beta-1b on IFN-gamma production in MS. Moreover, it provides a powerful new technique for detection of cytokines.
Bakhiet
M
M
Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Neurology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Moiz.Bakhiet@impi.ki.se
Ozenci
V
V
Withagen
C
C
Mustafa
M
M
Fredrikson
S
S
Link
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a