CD45RA+ ICAM-3+ lymphocytes in interferon-beta1b-treated and -untreated patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is believed to be an autoimmune disease of the human central nervous system mediated by autoreactive T cells. Interferon-beta1b (IFN-beta1b) has been shown to be effective in reducing disease activity defined by clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Yet, the exact mechanisms by which these benefits are achieved remain unknown. CD45RA is a marker for naive T lymphocytes and intercellular adhesion molecule-3 (ICAM-3) is expressed on resting lymphocytes.


METHODS
Forty-eight patients with RRMS, 24 of them treated with recombinant IFN-beta1b and 24 untreated, were enrolled in this prospective study over 18 months. We investigated the percentage of CD45RA+ ICAM-3+ cells within the total lymphocyte subset in the peripheral blood serially every 3 months and in CSF once at baseline. Detailed clinical examination including Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was performed every 3 months and cranial MRI scans were assessed every 6 months.


RESULTS
We found a temporary increase in the CD45RA+ ICAM-3+ lymphocyte ratio in peripheral blood of both untreated and IFN-beta1b-treated RRMS patients. Moreover, we determined a significant negative correlation (r = -0.5874; P < 0.01) between age as well as the EDSS score (r = -0.3629; P < 0.05) and the percentages of CD45RA+ ICAM-3+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood but a positive correlation between EDSS score and the CD45RA+ ICAM-3+ ratio (r = 0.3913; P < 0.05) in the CSF at baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
CD45RA+ ICAM-3+ lymphocyte ratio in peripheral blood might indicate immunosenescence in MS. However, from our data it cannot be finally concluded whether it is also influenced by IFN-beta1b treatment.
Chatzimanolis
N
N
Research Group for Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Kraus
J
J
Bauer
R
R
Engelhardt
B
B
Bregenzer
T
T
Kuehne
B S
BS
Tofighi
J
J
Laske
C
C
Stolz
E
E
Blaes
F
F
Voigt
K
K
Traupe
H
H
Kaps
M
M
Oschmann
P
P
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012008:Recurrence
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; C483616:ICAM3 protein, human; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens