Mx proteins in blood leukocytes for monitoring interferon beta-1b therapy in patients with MS.
OBJECTIVE
To correlate Mx protein (Mx) levels in lysed blood leukocytes with the clinical response to interferon (IFN) beta-1b (IFNbeta-1b) in relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) patients for monitoring treatment.


BACKGROUND
Intracellular Mx expression is exclusively induced by the type I IFNs (IFN-alpha, -beta, and -omega) or by viruses and is strongly increased under IFN treatment. Quantitative determination of Mx allows objective assessment of biological effects of IFN.


METHODS
Mx protein levels were measured in blood leukocyte lysates from IFNbeta-1b-treated RR-MS patients by ELISA and correlated to clinical parameters, including relapse rate and clinical deterioration.


RESULTS
In stable IFNbeta-1b-treated MS patients, Mx levels were significantly increased compared to patients with or without immunosuppressive treatment. In IFN-1b-treated MS patients during relapse, Mx levels were significantly lower than during stable phases of the disease. Mean values of Mx (MVMx) over time of treatment in patients with a reduction of relapse rate were significantly higher than in patients without response.


CONCLUSIONS
Mx levels in lysed blood cells may represent a useful surrogate marker for IFNbeta-1b activity corresponding to the clinical response during treatment of MS.
Kracke
A
A
Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Germany.
von Wussow
P
P
Al-Masri
A N
AN
Dalley
G
G
Windhagen
A
A
Heidenreich
F
F
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000906:Antibodies; D064547:Myxovirus Resistance Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a